AKP's '10 percent opposition' plan in Istanbul: That strategy will be activated!
As Turkey approaches local elections, it is claimed that the AKP is focusing on a candidate who can convince the '10 percent segment that is opposition-leaning but dissatisfied with the municipality' for its Istanbul candidacy.
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Accelerating its efforts for the local elections on March 31, 2024, the AKP is continuing its alliance negotiations with the MHP while working on a strategy to win back the metropolitan municipalities lost to the CHP in the 2019 local elections.
THE 10 PERCENT PLAN
According to a report by BBC Turkish; ruling party sources argue that, based on public opinion polls conducted both within the party and by independent organizations, Istanbul can be won back if a candidate is nominated who can convince the segment—estimated at around 10 percent—that voted for Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2019 but is currently dissatisfied with municipal services.
THEY TURNED TO İMAMOĞLU IN 2019
AKP strategists make the following assessments regarding what strategy will be followed based on this data:
“There is currently a voter base of around 10 percent standing in the gray area. These are segments that have previously voted for the CHP or another opposition party and are opposed to the AK Party. However, they care about the provision of good municipal services. Ease of transportation, environmental cleanliness, and the facilitation of urban life are their priorities. There is research conducted by a university regarding this voter group: The 10 percent group voted for Ekrem İmamoğlu in 2019. But 46 percent of them say they 'will not vote for him again' because they do not like the municipal services. The AK Party's vote share in Istanbul is already in the 44-45 percent band. A name that at least half of this voter group could vote for would allow us to win the election comfortably. This voter group also does not like popular candidates. That was the mistake made in 2019. Names that stood out with their political identities were nominated. That is why they turned to İmamoğlu in 2019. The same candidacy should not be repeated; names that will meet the expectation of municipal services should be nominated.”