MAK Research President Kulat's take on Ankara, İzmir, and Hatay: 'It is a finished election'

With 11 days left until the local elections, the political agenda remains intense.

Speaking to Miray Tamer from Gerçek Gündem, MAK Research President Kulat shared the latest situation in İzmir, Ankara, and Hatay.

"THE GAP IS WIDENING TO 8 PERCENT"

Speaking about Ankara, Kulat said, "Mansur Yavaş received 50.93 percent of the votes and came out on top in the polls, despite rhetoric from his AKP rival Mehmet Özhaseki such as 'terrorists will distribute your bills.' What increased Yavaş's popularity was that, even though President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initiated political polemics over the past five years, he did not get involved and, so to speak, 'stuck to his job'."

Kulat expressed his view that, based on the data they have, Yavaş will win this election comfortably.

Reminding that in the last poll they published, there was a gap of approximately 6 points between him and his AKP rival Turgut Altınok, Kulat continued as follows:

"In fact, when the undecided voters are mathematically distributed, the gap widens to 8 percent. This gap may increase; there is nothing that suggests it should decrease. This election, as far as Mansur Yavaş is concerned—at least based on years of experience—is a finished election as of this hour. But whether the gap will widen a bit more, stay like this, or narrow slightly, we will see, but unless something very extraordinary happens, this election will be won."

SAVAŞ HAS THE ADVANTAGE IN HATAY

Speaking about Hatay, Kulat stated, "In the first poll we conducted, even when Gökhan Zan was still in the race, it appeared that Lütfü Savaş was winning the election, even in places where people thought 'Lütfü Savaş will lose the election.' In my opinion, a great advantage has emerged for Lütfü Savaş."

WHAT IS THE LATEST SITUATION IN İZMİR?

Regarding İzmir, Kulat expressed the following:

"When we conducted studies in İzmir in past years and asked voters who voted for Republican People's Party (CHP) candidates 'Why are you voting?', there is a voter base that answers 'to avoid losing the gains of the Republic,' and this is a very high percentage. Since this is a reason that still continues, I think the CHP candidate will win the election comfortably. However, will this 'comfortable win' be at the same rate as in the Tunç Soyer era? To be honest, I expect it to drop a little lower. Because the Republican People's Party has its own disgruntled and angry voters, which could pull it down by a few points. Also, it is generally seen and said that the performance of AK Party candidate Hamza Dağ is better. It is likely that there will be an increase in Hamza Dağ's vote. But I do not expect that increase to be a very extraordinary one."