Polls put Turkey’s Islamists in big lead

Just three days to go before one of the most important General Elections in Turkey’s history, and the latest opinion poll published suggests the ruling AKP is heading for a thumping absolute majority in parliament.

The AKP may pick up a bigger share of the vote than in 2002, with a forecast 42.5 percent, but may end up with fewer seats as there are more parties this time thought capable of winning 10 percent nationwide, allowing them to enter parliament. In the streets people seem to expect the AKP to retain power, but want it to tackle their daily problems: “One of Turkey’s biggest problems is terrorism, then it is stability, and finally, secularism”, said one man.

Turkey’s main opposition parties appear to be floundering in the AKP’s wake, even if their renewed strength may rob the AKP of the two thirds parliamentary majority it craves to effect constitutional reform. The centre-left CHP is only credited with just over 17 percent support, with the rightwing MHP polling 12.5 percent.

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