2023 Elections in Turkey within Global Context: Right Wing Populism in the Era of Global Shift

Abstract

Many observers predicted that the catastrophic earthquake of February 2023 and huge and unprecedent problems of high inflation and cost of living crisis would end Erdogan era and his credibility in Turkey. However, despite all ongoing deep problems, Erdogan and his AKP government, after more than 20 years in power, still managed to win the 2023 elections in the second round. It seems none of the serious economic and political problems were enough to get the majority of votes away from the governing party, AKP. Even in the cities where the earthquake costed high level of damage, AKP and Erdogan got significantly high votes, despite rampant corruption and economic mismanagement. The AKP government has not been punished either economically or politically. On the contrary, one of the most striking consequences of this election is that Turkey now has the most right-wing parliament in its recent modern history if we include the right-wing opposition parties in the composition.