(VOVworld) – The Justice and Development Party (AKP) of President Tayyip Erdogan has won Turkey’s parliamentary election. Observers say the election result reflects Turkish voters’ faith that the ruling Party will promote peace and development.
The AKP won 49.4% of the votes, enough to establish a single-party government. The opposition Republican People’s Party won 23%, the People’s Democratic Party 10%, and the Nationalist Movement Party 11%.
Why Turkish voters support the AKP
The November 1 election was one of Turkey’s most important elections in years. It took place amid a rift in the government caused by a wave of bloody attacks by Jihadists and differences with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Many analysts feared the election would fail to end Turkey’s political stagnation. Exit polls suggested that the AKP would gain 40-43% of the votes, far from enough to establish a government. The election turned out to be a surprise victory for the AKP. Turkish voters had to vote twice in 5 months. In a June election the AKP lost its majority in Parliament for the first time since it came to power in 2002. It failed to ally with other Parties to establish a government so another parliamentary election had to be held according to Turkey’s Constitution.
Why has the AKP, which has been criticized for its authoritarian rule, won a new majority in Parliament? The answer is: terrorism and instability. The rise of the PKK, the civil war in Syria, and IS have worried Turkish voters. Prolonged instability has made them want to return to the period when Turkey was ruled by a single Party, which would make it easier for the government to fight terrorism. Turkey’s transitional government has carried out major economic, political, and social reforms thanks to the stability created by a single-Party government. The AKP won voter support with its clear strategies and reform measures and a vow to end Turkey’s political instability.
Post-election challenges
The AKP will face many post-election challenges, including a deep division between political Parties, economic difficulties, security challenges, and migration. Conflicts between government forces and PKK rebels have increased and peace efforts with the Kurds have not progressed. Turkey’s decision to join the US-led coalition against IS has made Turkey a new target for terror attacks.