Survey: Turks want formation of coalition gov’t, view Erdoğan as major hurdle

More than 50 percent of the Turks believe Erdoğan is the biggest hurdle to the emergence of a coalition, according to the survey. (Photo: DHA)

August 03, 2015, Monday/ 16:55:01/ TODAY'S ZAMAN / ANKARA

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The majority of citizens are in favor of the formation of a coalition government and see President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the biggest factor preventing the emergence of such a coalition, a polling company has revealed.

The Gezici Research and Polling Company asked 4,860 people in a nationwide survey between July 25 and 26 their views on recent developments in the country, such as the ongoing talks between political parties to form a coalition government or the dissolution of the settlement process -- launched in 2012 to resolve the country's Kurdish issue -- after renewed armed clashes with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

A full 70.2 percent of respondents expressed their desire for the formation of a coalition government, an increase from the 53.6 percent who expressed the same in a previous survey by the company before the June 7 election.

The survey found that 66 percent of those who voted for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the June 7 election are also in favor of a coalition government and want Erdoğan and interim Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to increase their efforts to that end.

When asked which factor has contributed to the failure of the formation of coalition government, 56.8 percent said Erdoğan was the biggest hurdle to the emergence of a coalition.

Following the June 7 general election in which no single party received enough seats in Parliament to form a government, Erdoğan has been criticized for conducting a strategy aimed at preventing the formation of a coalition government.

Speaking to journalists on Friday on his way back to Turkey from a visit to China, President Erdoğan said a coalition government would not bring the country any benefit. “However, it is possible to form a minority government that would bring Turkey to a snap election,” he said. Erdoğan also told reporters in İstanbul on July 24 that if no parties are able to form a coalition, the country would then hold another general election within 90 days.

Delegations from the AK Party and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) have held four rounds of meetings, discussing political and economic issues to determine if a compromise was possible amidst Erdoğan's support for a snap election.

Atmosphere of chaos benefits AK Party

Citizens view the recent outbreak of violence and chaos in the country stirred up by military clashes between the army and Kurdish militants as well as radical Islamist groups as an attempt to manipulate voters' decisions in a snap election, according to the survey.

A total of 64.5 percent of respondents said the current chaotic atmosphere is an attempt by the AK Party to increase its votes, especially those from nationalist citizens, in a possible snap election in the coming months.

A similar view was upheld in a report published by İstanbul-based consulting firm S Bilişim Danışmanlık on Aug. 1 that argued support for the AK Party goes up when violence increases in Turkey.

The report also stipulates that the AK Party had benefitted from previous instances of increased violence, such as the Güneş Harekatı (Operation Sun) by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) against PKK militants in 2007.

Gov't under fire for its policies

Respondents also expressed their discontent with the recent policies of the AK Party in the fields of the economy, security and democracy.

When asked whether the AK Party was successful in solving the problems of the country and in governing the country, 70.9 percent of those surveyed responded negatively.

Citizens are also concerned about their security in the country, with 85.5 percent of respondents saying security along Turkey's borders was not under control.

A full 84.2 percent also stated their opposition to a military campaign against Syria, deeming such an operation unnecessary.

When it comes to the economic well-being of the citizens, the survey reveals major dissatisfaction by citizens over their financial statuses, with 67.4 percent of respondents saying they have a hard time making ends meet. Furthermore, 21.2 percent stated they were unemployed.

Of those surveyed, 61.8 percent believe their economic status will improve if a coalition government is formed.

The respondents were also disgruntled with the extensive powers of the president, stating their preference for a president with more limited powers. A total of 67.2 percent of respondents said the government should be more independent from the president when making decisions.

Erdoğan is also seen as more authoritarian and oppressive by citizens. Of those surveyed, 66.1 percent said Erdoğan acts as a one-man show and adopts a harsh discourse in politics, with 67.6 percent qualifying Erdoğan as becoming more authoritarian and oppressive.

Since his presidential term began last August, Erdoğan has filed 718 lawsuits on charges of insulting the president against journalists and other people over news reports as well as their social media posts.

The record number of legal proceedings against dissidents is considered a new method of intimidating political opponents who do not share the government's views.

Keywords: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , Gezici Research , PKK , AK Party , CHP , TSK , Syria