THE REASONS OF ELECTORAL STAGNATION OF THE CHP IN THE LIGHT OF THE 2015 TURKISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Abstract

It is the intention in this article to explain the electoral stagnation of theRepublican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) in the light of the 2015parliamentary elections in Turkey. Drawing on theories of voting behavior, thearticle uncovers the organizational shortcomings within the party and theproblem of credibility that have emerged as significant impediments to the partyin addressing long-term historical-structural issues, mainly the division ofTurkish society between the religious periphery and the secular center.Furthermore, the strong identification between the ruling Justice andDevelopment Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP) and its partisans havemade party-switching difficult, having been achieved, above all, through theprovision of economic benefits and public services and the consolidation of partyidentification through growing polarization and division in Turkish politics. Lastbut not least, the changes to the political environment between the June 7 andNovember 1, 2015 elections, pushed stability and security to the top of theagenda, as well as AKP’s electoral adjustments in the run-up to the November 1elections inhibited any possible flow of votes to the CHP.