Die Parlamentswahl in der Türkei im Juni 2015
Parliamentary Elections in Turkey in June 2015

Is the Election Result a Victory for Democracy and National Cohesion?

Summary/Abstract: Although the ruling AKP suffered its first electoral defeat since 2002 and lost its parliamentary majority, the main opposition party CHP could hardly profit from the weakness of the AKP. The nationalist MHP and the pro-Kurd leftist HDP increased their electoral basis significantly. This can be explained by a number of structural factors and current political developments such as the slow-down of economic growth as well as the authoritarian domestic and risky foreign policy of various AKP-led governments. Responsible for the weakness of the main opposition party CHP were the conservative character of the Turkish society and the image of the CHP as an elitist, militant secular party. The HDP benefitted from the reputation of the Kurdish movement and the anti-Erdoğan atmosphere, whereas the MHP distinguished itself as the true supporter of the Turkish national interest and Turkish identity. The election results can be interpreted as a victory for Turkish parliamentary democracy, since it ends President R. T. Erdoğan’s dream of creating an executive presidency. However, the election results also cement cultural and ethnic divisions and a political polarization along identities and lifestyles.

• Details
• Contents