Survey Data May Be Driving Bahçeli’s Push to Speed Up Trials

Recent calls by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli to accelerate high-profile court cases — including the trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu — may have been influenced by July 2025 survey results, according to journalist Ertuğrul Özkök.

The debate comes amid early election discussions and CHP-targeted operations dominating Türkiye’s political agenda. Following İmamoğlu’s March arrest, mass rallies under the slogan “The Nation Protects Its Will” have demanded both his release and a fast-tracked trial broadcast live on TRT — a proposal Bahçeli has publicly supported. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has not ruled it out.

Bahçeli’s Emphasis on Swift Justice
Bahçeli has urged that trials be expedited after the judicial recess, stating Türkiye should “rid itself of this burden.” Özkök claims this stance aligns with public sentiment shifts seen in a Panorama Research poll.

Key July Survey Shifts
The poll revealed three notable changes compared to June:

• Those citing justice as the country’s most important issue after the economy rose from 17.9% to 24.1%.

• Trust in the Justice Minister fell from 26% to 23%.

• The share believing the economy is worsening increased from 74.2% to 76.3%.

Rising Support for Bahçeli’s Proposals
The same survey showed growing approval for two initiatives linked to Bahçeli:

• Support for broadcasting İmamoğlu’s trial on TRT rose to 77%.

• Backing for a parliamentary commission on disarmament increased from 53.2% to 62.8%.

Political Calculations
Özkök noted that Panorama’s monthly findings are shared with business leaders, politicians, and academics, and believes Bahçeli was briefed on the July results. He argues Bahçeli’s judicial rhetoric is aimed squarely at the AKP leadership, signaling internal coalition dynamics.