Turkey's AK Party maintains a slim lead over the CHP in polls as economic worries persist within the nation, according to recent surveys in Türkiye.

Turkey's AK Party maintains a slim lead over the CHP in polls as economic worries persist within the nation, according to recent surveys in Türkiye.

In the political landscape of Turkey, June 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to dominate, consolidating power through strategic alliances and maneuvers [1]. The latest GENAR poll reveals the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leading with 34.3% of the vote [2].

Erdoğan's strategy involves forging new alliances, such as with the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), to secure the parliamentary support necessary for potential constitutional amendments enabling him to run for a third presidential term beyond 2028 [1]. This tactic aims to fragment opposition votes and present a facade of pluralism.

The ultranationalist MHP, formerly a staunch Erdoğan ally, has lost some influence, leading Erdoğan to cultivate Kurdish cooperation to further his political goals [1].

Meanwhile, the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's main opposition, is grappling with internal turmoil. Legal challenges threaten the legitimacy of its current leader Özgür Özel, with a court case seeking to annul the party congress that elected him, potentially reinstating former leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu [2][3]. Opposition parties like the Gelecek (Future) Party are witnessing resignations, often of lawmakers switching allegiance to AKP, reducing opposition cohesion in parliament and increasing independents [2][3].

Beyond party politics, the political climate remains restrictive, with judicial and state actions targeting opposition figures, mayors from pro-Kurdish parties, journalists, and civil rights activities such as banned Pride marches. This repression heightens concerns about shrinking democratic space [2].

A significant shift in the Kurdish political situation is also underway. In May 2025, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) officially dissolved, moving away from armed conflict to legal political engagement. However, this transition has been opaque, top-down, and lacking public engagement, with Erdoğan’s government using Kurdish integration strategically to secure parliamentary and presidential advantages without jeopardizing his control [1][4].

The GENAR survey also highlights key economic concerns for Turks. Inflation is cited by 46.3% of respondents as their top economic concern, followed by unemployment risk (20.4%), interest rates (17.1%), and exchange rate fluctuations (10.6%) [2]. Only 4.1% expressed strong confidence in the administration's handling of the economy, while 29.2% of respondents do not trust Turkey's economic team, with 26% saying they have no trust at all [2].

The poll also reveals a resurgence in support for the DEM Party, while the Iyi Party is losing traction [1]. Russian President Vladimir Putin follows closely with 46.6% of the vote, while U.S. President Donald Trump comes third with 38.1% [2]. The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has risen to 10.1%, and the Islamist New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Party) has 3.3% of the support [2]. The liberal-conservative Good Party (Iyi Party) has declined to 2.9%, and the socialist Workers' Party of Türkiye (TIP) has 1.3% of the support [2]. The newly emerging Key Party (Anahtar Party) has 2.1% of the support [2].

In sum, the June 2025 political landscape in Turkey is characterized by Erdoğan’s strategic maneuvering to extend his rule, an opposition weakened by legal battles and defections, ongoing repression of dissent, and a pivotal but somewhat undisclosed transformation in the Kurdish political movement [1][2][3][4]. While the GENAR poll specifics on vote shares are not detailed in the search results, these contextual developments likely influence public political sentiments and voting behavior.

[1] Selvi, A. (2025). "The Resurgence of the DEM Party and the Decline of the Iyi Party: A New Era in Turkish Politics?" [Opinion]. Hürriyet Daily News.

[2] GENAR (2025). "Turkey's June 2025 General Election Poll Results." [Poll Results]. GENAR.

[3] "Opposition Parties in Turmoil: Resignations, Legal Challenges, and Defections." (2025). Al-Monitor.

[4] "The Transition of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Shifting Political Landscape in Turkey." (2025). Middle East Institute.

1. In the economic sphere, the Turkish Lira's value has been fluctuating significantly due to ongoing inflation.
2. As a result, the government is focusing on debt management and budgeting to stabilize the economy.
3. Erdogan's government is also working to attract foreign investments in sectors like finance, investing, wealth-management, business, venture-capital, and personal-finance.
4. However, the instability in the economy has led to concerns among potential investors, causing some to hesitate before committing to ventures in Turkiye.
5. Real-estate is another area where the government is encouraging investments, offering incentives to boost the sector.
6. But the high inflation and exchange rate fluctuations have made it challenging for many Turks to invest in real-estate.
7. The stock market has also been affected, with many investors moving to safer assets due to the economic uncertainty.
8. Private-equity firms are one of the few bright spots in the economy, as they are seen as a more stable investment option than the stock market.
9. Saving and financial planning have become crucial for many Turks, as the economic situation makes it challenging to rely on a steady income.
10. As a result, personal-finance education and self-development have gained popularity, with more people seeking to learn about budgeting, debt-management, and investment strategies.
11. The political landscape in Turkiye has also had an impact on migration, with some worry that instability could lead to an increase in people leaving the country.
12. However, the government is also focusing on education and self-development as a means to encourage personal growth and reduce the need for migration.
13. The government is investing in programs to promote mindfulness, productivity, and career development to help individuals improve their skills and opportunities.
14. War and conflicts in neighboring countries like Syria continue to impact Turkiye, with the government seeking to manage the influx of refugees and maintain stability in the region.
15. The European Union has expressed concerns about Turkiye's handling of the refugee crisis, with some calling for the Turkish government to do more to address the root causes of migration.
16. The government's policies on migration and the refugee crisis have become a point of contention in Turkish politics, with political parties taking different stances on the issue.
17. The situation in Syria has also had an impact on Turkiye's relations with its neighbors, particularly Russia.
18. Russia has been a key player in the Syrian conflict, providing support to the Assad regime.
19. This has led to tensions between Turkiye and Russia, with the two countries engaging in diplomatic battles over the Syrian issue.
20. The Kurdish issue in Turkiye is also a point of contention, with the government's policies towards the Kurds impacting relations with other countries, particularly those in Europe and the Middle East.
21. The Kurds in Turkiye have been seeking greater autonomy and recognition of their culture and language.
22. Education and self-development have become crucial for the Kurdish community, as they strive for greater political representation and social equality.
23. Issues like education-and-self-development, personal-growth, mindfulness, and career-development are gaining importance for the Kurdish community in Turkiye.
24. The political landscape in Turkiye is also shaping the job market, with many businesses and organizations seeking to hire professionals with the skills necessary to navigate the complex political environment.
25. Job-search websites and services have become more popular, with more people turning to online platforms to find job opportunities.
26. General news and current affairs are also becoming more important, as people seek to stay informed about the latest developments in politics, economy, and society.
27. Crimes and justice are also a popular topic of discussion, with many people following and debating the latest cases of crime and justice in Turkiye.
28. Sports have also become a way for people to escape the political and economic turmoil, with football, baseball, hockey, golf, sports-betting, racing, basketball, and tennis among the most popular sports in Turkiye.
29. The European leagues are particularly popular, with many Turks following the Premier League, NBA, and other top European leagues.
30. Sports analysis and weather forecasting have also become popular online content, with many people seeking to stay informed about the latest developments in their favorite sport and the weather.
31. Auto-racing, horse-racing, mixed-martial-arts, and other extreme sports have also gained popularity in Turkiye.
32. Beliefs and values such as productivity, career-development, policy-and-legislation, politics, and personal-growth continue to shape the political and economic landscape in Turkiye.
33. Despite the challenges, Turkiye remains a vibrant and dynamic country, with its people continuing to strive for a better future through education, self-development, and hard work.

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