Inf-election point: How inflation hit voters and then Turkey’s ruling party

An unsealed CHP vote is visible at a Kasımpaşa polling station. © Diego Cupolo

İSTANBUL – As the results of Turkey’s local elections are tallied, a few trends are emerging from preliminary outcomes, which show notable losses for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP):

1. For the first time, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) took more of the vote share than Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s AKP.

2. The far-right New Welfare Party (YRP) gave conservative citizens a comfortable protest vote, if they wanted one, and took the third-highest vote share Sunday.

3. And it appears Turkey’s high inflation has caught up with voters – pensioners in particular – prompting many to vote against the AKP and its economic policies.

“Economic issues outweighed identity concerns and party loyalty in the local elections, in my view, and pensioners played a role,” said Selin Nasi, visiting fellow at London School of Economics. “They have been expecting an increase in their pensions and that didn't happen.”