Türkei-Wahlen - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Turkey is a parliamentary democracy, with the President serving as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term, with a limit of two terms.
- 2. The most recent election in Turkey was the presidential and parliamentary elections held on June 24, 2018. These elections marked a significant change in Turkey's political system, as they were the first to be held under a new executive presidential system that expanded the powers of the President.
- 3. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been in power since 2002. The AKP is a conservative party with roots in Islamism and has been criticized for its increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
- 4. The main opposition party in Turkey is the Republican People's Party (CHP), which is a social democratic party. The CHP has been critical of the AKP's policies and has called for greater democracy and civil liberties in Turkey.
- 5. The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) is another prominent party in Turkey, which represents the Kurdish minority in the country. The HDP has faced repression and crackdowns by the government, with many of its leaders and members being arrested on charges of terrorism.
- 6. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is a far-right party in Turkey that has formed an alliance with the AKP in recent elections. The MHP's leader, Devlet Bahceli, has been a vocal supporter of President Erdogan and his policies.
- 7. Voter turnout in Turkey has been relatively high in recent elections, with around 85% of eligible voters participating in the 2018 elections. However, there have been concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, with allegations of voter fraud and manipulation.
- 8. Turkey has a mixed electoral system, with a combination of proportional representation and first-past-the-post elements. The President is elected through a two-round system, while members of parliament are elected through a proportional representation system.
- 9. The media landscape in Turkey has been heavily controlled by the government, with many independent outlets being shut down or taken over by pro-government owners. This has raised concerns about freedom of speech and press freedom in the country.
- 10. The outcome of the elections in Turkey is closely watched by the international community, as the country plays a key role in regional and global politics. The results of the elections can have significant implications for Turkey's relationship with its allies and neighbors, as well as for the country's domestic political situation.