Citizens' reaction to AKP regarding İmralı: A poll that upset Erdoğan!
While Erdoğan's potential re-nomination and the processes conducted with PKK terrorist organization leader Öcalan have caused widespread repercussions in public opinion, citizens have issued a warning to the AKP government. According to the results of a poll conducted by AREA Research, a significant portion of the public has expressed their reaction to the recent process. Here are the details...
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Turkey entered 2025 with an intense political agenda. The process that began with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli inviting PKK terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan to speak in Parliament continues to be debated alongside the People's Alliance's claims regarding the fight against terrorism. It is noted that despite the continuation of talks through visits to İmralı, no concrete progress has been made.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEBATE
During this period, discussions regarding a constitutional amendment to allow President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to run for office again have also been on the agenda. However, citizens do not view this amendment favorably.
According to the "Turkey Political Agenda Research" survey conducted by AREA Research in January 2025, 65.3 percent of citizens said "No" to a constitutional amendment that would enable Erdoğan's candidacy. This situation revealed that public support for a constitutional amendment is quite low.
''TALKS ARE VIEWED NEGATIVELY''
The survey also included questions regarding the process the People's Alliance is conducting through the DEM Party and PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. 67.1 percent of participants stated that they view these talks negatively. It was observed that the trust citizens have in the government during this process is weak.
''MESSAGES OF UNITY IN THE OPPOSITION FOUND SUPPORT''
Another topic of political debate was the opposition's messages of unity. The call for unity made by IYI Party Chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu to support Victory Party (Zafer Partisi) leader Ümit Özdağ was received positively by more than 70 percent of the participants. Furthermore, it was observed that CHP voters also support the opposition's efforts to unite.
The arrest of Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat was another notable topic in the survey. 46.6 percent of participants interpreted this situation as, "The real target is Ekrem İmamoğlu."
On the other hand, 55.9 percent of respondents expressed a negative view regarding the possibility of the arrest of Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ.