Polls also show an opposition bloc called the Alliance of Nations leading the parliamentary race by at least six points ahead of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its allies. The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is still well above 10%.
Erdogan is facing the biggest challenge of his 20-year rule after his fall in popularity during the cost-of-living crisis. Last month’s earthquake victims are also reconsidering their loyalty.
The elections will decide not only who will lead Turkey, but also how it will be governed, where its economy is heading, and what role it can play in resolving wars between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East.
A March 8 Aksoy Research poll showed Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who became the candidate of the opposition alliance on March 6, ahead of Erdoğan with 55.6% and 44.4% support, respectively. The opposition bloc “Alliance of Nations” is gaining 44.1% of the vote, while the AKP and its nationalist allies – 38.2%, the NDP – 10.3%.
A March 6-7 poll by Alf Research showed that Kılıçdaroğlu would receive 55.1% and Erdoğan 44.9%. The main opposition bloc will receive 43.5% of the vote, Erdogan’s party and its allies – 37.5%, the PDP – 11.3%.
The earthquake appears to have had little effect on Erdogan’s AKP popularity. According to a Metropoll survey, 34.4% of respondents blamed the government for losses during the earthquake, while 26.9% blamed contractors. The municipalities came in third, with 15.4% of the participants saying they were at fault, while 12.9% answered “everyone”.
