Die Parlaments- und Präsidentschaftswahlen in der Türkei im Juni 2018
Parliamentary and Presidential Elections in Turkey in June 2018

Summary/Abstract: The outcome of the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 June 2018 was a surprise in Turkey and Germany. Signs of a financial crisis, anti-democratic authoritarianism in domestic affairs, setbacks in foreign policy as well as a strong mobilization of the secular-left CHP were important factors. Equally, the energetic and passionate campaigning of CHP’s presidential candidate Muharrem İnce and the euphoria in parts of the society raised hopes for a change of power. But in the end Erdoğan and the AKP prevailed yet again. The double elections in June 2018 reflected Turkey’s polarized social structure, the overlap of cultural and socio-economic fault lines and the influence of sub-collective identities and affiliations on citizens’ voting behavior. They also showed the weaknesses and dissatisfaction of the opposition in Turkey as well as a stagnation of the AKP. However, the ruling party is not without an alternative among conservative national segments of the population. Fragmentation is a significant trend of the Turkish party system. With the double elections in June 2018, Turkey was reshaped into a presidential system which strengthens executive authority to the disadvantage of legislative and judiciary powers.

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