Social consensus and democratic construction: CHP's vision for a new Turkey

In Turkey, broad masses of the public are being crushed under the pressure of multidimensional problems that have become chronic and intertwined in every field. The resolution of these problems is becoming more difficult by the day, and the 'systemic' deadlock is deepening. Instead of implementing permanent reforms in the fields of economy and democracy, resorting to palliative (temporary) solutions masks the growing problems and threatens the future of society.

Chronic collective anxiety and hopelessness on a societal scale weaken the psychological resilience of individuals while also damaging the social fabric. The eroding trust in institutional structures and political representation mechanisms pushes individuals away from social issues and into a spiral of 'withdrawal and isolation.' Consequently, the masses, disconnected from a shared vision of the future, are drifting into a phase of “anomic” disintegration where indifference and silence replace practices of solidarity, and social norms and values lose their function.

If recalled, the 2017 constitutional amendment ended Turkey's century-old parliamentary tradition and introduced the 'Partisan Presidential Government' system, which concentrates power in a single center. The 50%+1 legitimacy threshold of the new system has pushed the political arena toward fierce competition, trapping society in sharp political polarization between the ruling bloc representing centralism (People's Alliance) and the opposition bloc aiming for a broad-based consensus (Nation/Turkey Alliance).

The CHP, which founded the nation-state and is one of the most deep-rooted parties in the world, as the driving force of the opposition front, has long been pursuing a policy of rapprochement and change with different social strata to break historical prejudices in the collective memory of society. This strategic change, whose foundations were laid during the Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu era and continued under Özgür Özel, has evolved into a genuine process of confrontation and mutual dialogue that the party has established with segments that previously kept their distance. This approach, by placing 'communication and consensus' at the center instead of rigid political molds, has brought different segments of society together on a common 'ground of democracy' (strengthened parliamentary system, separation of powers, rule of law and judicial independence, fundamental rights and freedoms, social peace, etc.) and has put forward a new model of 'political integration.'

This positive politics has yielded concrete results at the ballot box. The picture that began in 2019 and reached 420 mayoralties with a 38% vote share in 2024 has registered the CHP's clear superiority in local governments. This result is not just a numerical success, but a strong objection and search for balance raised by the voter from the local level against the deadlock in central administration.

Macroeconomic instability and high inflation, which began with the pandemic process and deepened afterward, have led to a serious loss of welfare and a search for social justice among broad segments of society, especially retirees, youth, and low-income groups. These socio-economic conditions caused the accumulated demands of the urban poor to be reflected in their ballot box choices. In a sense, the accumulated anger erupted at the ballot box.

The opposition should view the electoral success it has achieved not as a permanent show of force, but as a strong warning from the public at the ballot box against economic hardships. The transformation of this temporary support into lasting trust depends on drawing a realistic roadmap that embraces the troubles of society. However, changing sides in some municipalities, meaningless resignations, and corruption allegations are damaging this delicate bond established with the voter. It should not be forgotten that personal interests and institutional decay can put this hard-won success at risk at any moment. Real politics is not changing direction according to the blowing wind, but the art of establishing a social contract by producing permanent solutions to the problems of the people.

The sustainability of the momentum captured in the 2024 local elections depends on the institutionalization of 'Populist/Social/Remedy Municipalism,' which is a transparent and ethical management model beyond structural services. In this process, where the voter keeps a dynamic 'performance report card,' the erosion of the ground of trust carries a serious risk of loss of legitimacy. Therefore, in order to carry this credit from the local level to general governance, the CHP must build a broader and more strategic model of social consensus that goes beyond conjunctural collaborations. In this context, establishing a rational relationship with the Kurdish voter (DEM Party), who stands at a key point both arithmetically and sociologically, and reintegrating the undecided masses who have moved away from the ballot box into the system is of vital importance for the transformation of political success into a lasting social contract.

The CHP's ability to carry its 2024 local election success into a perspective of lasting social hegemony and general governance depends on keeping the sociological base of the 'Turkey Alliance,' which includes nationalist, conservative, and apolitical segments, alive by expanding it. Chairman Özgür Özel's definition of this support as an 'investment vote' confirms that voter favor is a performance-oriented credit of trust. In this context, for the success to become permanent, it is imperative to implement effective social policies that protect disadvantaged groups and a welfare-oriented urban vision with a management approach that does not compromise on ethical principles and merit. Ultimately, rational politics is the discipline of transforming conjunctural reactions into a lasting social consensus, mobilizing the masses on a common ground of consent, and ensuring collective welfare.