Even a pro-government columnist admits it! Selvi explains why the AKP lost votes: 'AKP's votes have declined'

Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi shared survey results from two different research companies, evaluating the economic situation in Turkey and its effects on political party votes. In the surveys by Betimar and Areda-Survey, it emerged that the vast majority of the public stated that the most important problem in Turkey is the economy, but that the parties have failed to provide confidence on this issue.

According to Betimar, the CHP surpassed the AKP to become the leading party, while in the Areda-Survey results, the AKP took first place. It was emphasized that economic indicators have negatively affected the AKP's votes in particular.

"It would be beneficial for both the AK Party and the CHP to take these results into account. Because the public is issuing important warnings to the government and the main opposition. Betimar's research is dated January 30, while Areda-Survey's is dated January 1. First, I will share the data from Betimar, chaired by Gürkan Duman," said Selvi, drawing attention to the economic indicators in the survey:

‘When asked what Turkey's most important problem is, 42.9 percent of those who participated in the survey answered the economy. In second place comes inflation, the cost of living, and price hikes with 23.5 percent. When we add the two together, a result of 66.4 percent emerges. So, when asked who can solve this problem, the result is interesting. Those who say 'none of them' come in first with 30.8 percent. It is a frightening result in terms of showing hopelessness. In second place, those who say 'the AK Party will solve it' come in with 22.7 percent. Those who say 'the CHP will solve it' remain at 16.8 percent. In a period when the cost of living is high, the CHP should have come out in first place resoundingly. This means the CHP cannot give the public that confidence. It cannot make people say 'the solution is the CHP'.

'ACCORDING TO BETIMAR, THE CHP IS FIRST'

Indicators related to the economy have directly affected the AK Party's vote share. Since September, the AK Party had risen to the position of the leading party again and had seized the advantage in discourse. Now I will share the results of the two companies. According to Betimar's research, after the undecided voters are distributed, the CHP is the leading party with 31.6 percent, and the AK Party is the second party with 31.2 percent. They are followed by the MHP with 9.1 percent, the DEM Party with 8.8 percent, the IYI Party with 5.1 percent, the Zafer Party with 4.6 percent, and the Yeniden Refah Party with 3.7 percent. While the Anahtar Party comes in at 1.6 percent, the TİP is at 1.3 percent, and undecided voters are at 3 percent.

AK PARTY IS FIRST IN AREDA SURVEY

In the Areda-Survey poll, the AK Party comes out as the leading party with 34.4 percent, while the CHP is in second place with 29.3 percent. The DEM Party is at 9.3 percent, while the MHP is at 9.2 percent. The IYI Party is at 5.5 percent, while the Yeniden Refah Party is at 3.4 percent, and the Zafer Party is at 3.1 percent. The rate of those who say 'other' is 5.8 percent.

'MINIMUM WAGE AND PENSION HIKES HAVE CAUSED THE AK PARTY'S VOTES TO DECLINE'

Evaluating the reason for the AK Party's loss of votes according to the survey results, Selvi said, "I researched whether there is a relationship between the economy and the cost of living and the parties' vote shares. There is a direct relationship. Minimum wage and pension hikes have caused the AK Party's votes to decline. The AK Party's voter base consists of retirees, minimum wage earners, and tradespeople. Retirees and minimum wage earners are of the opinion that the entire burden of the economic program is being placed on their backs. These data were among the primary reasons that led to the AK Party's failure in the local elections. It would be beneficial for the AK Party to form a new strategy and put these results on the table."