Election of the century in Turkey
Election of the century in Turkey

Author(s): Adam Michalski
Subject(s): Government/Political systems, Electoral systems, Comparative politics
Published by: OSW Ośrodek Studiów Wschodnich im. Marka Karpia
Keywords: Turkey; presidential and parliamentary elections; Turkey’s political system;
Summary/Abstract: On 14 May Turkey will hold both presidential and parliamentary elections. Seeking to extend its21-year rule is the Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Their main rival is the opposition bloc dominated by the Republican People’s Party (CHP), whose leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, is running for president. An opposition victory would mark the beginning of a tumultuous process of re-evaluation and reckoning for the AKP government, while an AKP victory would lead to the petrification of the status quo. The election comes against the backdrop of an economic crisis and social polarisation, as well as frustrations present in the population, which have been exacerbated by the earthquake and growing accusations of authoritarianism in Turkey. According to the polls, the chances of victory for these two groups are very even, making it hard to predict the outcome of the elections. In the current situation, the result of the elections is likely to be contested by the losing side which might lead to public protests. This state of social tensions would be prolonged in the very likely event of run-off of the presidential election (28 May).

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