Turisk president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's tough talk against the west isn't paying off with urban voters.

His ruling AK Party has lost in local elections in Ankara, and he's seeking a recount in Istanbul where results are too close to call.

Erdoğan showed footage of the Christchurch mosque attacks, in a bid to drum up support at campaign rallies.

But Turkey correspondent, Hasan Abdullah, told Kate Hawkesby his anti-west rhetoric hasn't convinced many voters.

"They were trying to tie the economic conditions with the overall security and conspiracy from elements on the West. That has perhaps not gone down too well with people."

He said Erdoğan certainly wasn't expecting this result.

"The ruling party was expecting to win Istanbul by a significant margin, it is a bit of a shock for them."