Credibility, productivity, social aid keep AK Party powerful

The MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research Center asked respondents about why the AK Party is so popular among voters. Among the main reasons given for why the AK Party is popular, some respondents said there is no strong opposition in the country to challenge the ruling party. Some others said the AK Party is popular because it is good at managing the economy and maintaining close contact with the people. Still others said the strong leadership in the party makes it popular.

In the general elections of June 2011, the AK Party took 49.9 percent of the national vote while its biggest rival, the Republican People's Party (CHP), garnered 26 percent and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) won 13 percent of the vote.

In response to a question as to why the CHP fails to win adequate support of the people to become the ruling party, respondents pointed to the party's problem of leadership as the main reason. They next cited the party's lack of credibility and intra-party conflicts. Respondents also said that the CHP pursues the wrong policies and is distant from the people.

According to 33.2 percent of the respondents, they have greater confidence in and support for the AK Party when compared to the previous year. Another 33.3 percent, however, said they have less confidence and support for the ruling party. When the same question was asked about the CHP, only 11.3 percent said they have greater confidence and support for the party. Nearly 45 percent said they have less confidence and support for the main opposition party.

The respondents were also asked if they have greater confidence and support for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is also the leader of the AK Party, than last year. Thirty-four percent said “yes” while 27.8 percent said “no.” The remaining respondents declined to comment. When asked about CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, only 11.7 percent said they have greater confidence and support for him, while 46.2 percent responded to the contrary. Thirteen percent said they have greater confidence and support for Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the MHP. Whereas 36.6 percent said they have less confidence and support for Bahçeli.

Pollsters also asked if the respondents like President Abdullah Gül and his way of handling issues. More than 75 percent said they like the president, and only 17.6 percent said they do not like the president. More than 62 percent said they like the prime minister while 30.5 percent disagreed. As for Kılıçdaroğlu, 30.6 percent said they like him, and 59 percent said they do not like him.

If general elections were held this Sunday

Pollsters also questioned the respondents about their voting preferences.

When asked if Turkey needs a new political party, 52.4 percent said “no” while 36.7 percent said “yes.” Nearly 75 percent said they do not regret having voted for their party in the June 12, 2011 general elections. Only 15.3 percent said they regret doing so.

Asked which political party they would vote for if general elections were held this Sunday, 39.1 percent said they would vote for the AK Party. According to the poll, the CHP would receive 17.6 percent of vote. The MHP would receive 9.8 percent of the vote, while the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) would get 3.3 percent. More than 26 percent said they are undecided. MetroPOLL said splitting the undecided votes at the ballot box would provide additional support for the political parties.