Turkish Voters Reject Expanding Citizenship Definition to Include Kurdish Identity

A new public opinion survey by Metropoll Research has revealed strong resistance among Turkish voters to proposals aimed at expanding the constitutional definition of citizenship to explicitly include Kurdish identity. Conducted amid renewed discussions around a potential new resolution process, the poll shows that more than 60 percent of society opposes such a constitutional change, with opposition particularly pronounced among voters of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

The findings come from Metropoll’s December 2025 “Pulse of Turkey” study, which examined public attitudes toward one of the most sensitive and polarizing issues in Turkish politics: redefining citizenship as part of a broader reconciliation or solution process. Participants were asked whether they would support expanding the constitutional definition of citizenship to recognize and include Kurdish identity.

Clear Nationwide Opposition

According to the survey results, support for the proposed change remains limited nationwide. A total of 60.7 percent of respondents said they would not support expanding the definition of citizenship, while 34.5 percent said they would. The remaining 4.8 percent reported having no opinion.

The data suggests that despite years of debate over identity, equality, and constitutional reform, a majority of Turkish voters remain cautious—or openly resistant—toward changes that explicitly reference ethnic identity in the constitution. Researchers note that the issue continues to trigger concerns about national unity, social cohesion, and the long-term implications of identity-based constitutional language.

AK Party Voters More Divided Than Expected

One of the most striking findings of the survey emerges when results are broken down by voting behavior in the May 14, 2023 general elections. Contrary to common assumptions, voters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) appeared more divided—and relatively more open—than several opposition groups.

Among AK Party voters, 40.1 percent said they would support expanding the definition of citizenship, while 56.4 percent opposed the proposal. Although opposition still outweighs support, the level of approval within the ruling party’s base is notably higher than in some other major political camps.

Analysts suggest this may reflect a pragmatic segment of the AK Party electorate that is more receptive to reform-oriented language focused on conflict resolution, even as skepticism remains dominant overall.

CHP Base Shows Strong Resistance

In contrast, the survey highlights a much firmer rejection among CHP voters, traditionally seen as proponents of democratic reform but also influenced by strong secular and nationalist currents. According to the data, only 22.5 percent of CHP supporters said “Yes”, while a striking 75.1 percent rejected the proposed change.

This result positions the CHP electorate as more resistant than the AK Party base, underscoring the continued strength of nationalist and unitary-state reflexes within the CHP’s voter base. Political observers note that this dynamic complicates efforts to build cross-party consensus on constitutional reform linked to ethnic identity.

Nationalist Parties Show Overwhelming Opposition

As expected, voters aligned with nationalist parties expressed the strongest resistance. Among supporters of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), 81.6 percent opposed the proposal. Similarly, 81.7 percent of Good Party (İYİ Parti) voters said they would not support expanding the definition of citizenship.

These figures reinforce the entrenched stance of nationalist constituencies against constitutional changes perceived as weakening a singular national identity framework. For these voters, such proposals are often viewed through a security-focused lens rather than one of cultural recognition.

DEM Party Voters Show Near-Total Support

At the opposite end of the spectrum, voters of the DEM Party, which primarily represents Kurdish political interests, showed near-unanimous support for the proposal. According to the survey, 95.6 percent of DEM Party voters said they would support expanding the constitutional definition of citizenship to include Kurdish identity.

This overwhelming backing reflects long-standing demands within the Kurdish political movement for constitutional recognition and broader legal acknowledgment of identity-based rights.

Survey Methodology

The research was conducted between December 10 and 16, 2025, across 28 provinces representing 26 regions under the NUTS-2 classification system. A total of 1,103 participants were surveyed via CATI (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing). The stated margin of error is ±2.89 percent.

A Deeply Polarizing Issue

Overall, the findings underscore how deeply polarized Turkish society remains on questions of citizenship, identity, and constitutional reform. While discussions around a new resolution process continue in political circles, public opinion data suggests that broad societal consent for redefining citizenship is currently lacking.

For policymakers, the survey highlights the political risks of advancing identity-focused constitutional changes without extensive public dialogue and consensus-building. As debates continue, the gap between elite-level discussions and voter sentiment may prove to be one of the most decisive factors shaping the future of any potential reform process.