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CHP Surges Ahead in June Polls as Economic Struggles Shape Voter Sentiment

election

In the most comprehensive political survey of June, CHP has emerged as the leading party in Türkiye, overtaking the ruling AK Party by a margin of over 5 percentage points. The findings, shared by Ank-Ar Research, not only signal a political shift but also reflect growing public discontent over economic hardships.

The poll, conducted face-to-face with 2,004 participants between June 20–23, captures the pulse of the electorate at a time when both political debates and economic pressures are intensifying. When asked, “If a general election were held this Sunday, which party would you vote for?”, respondents gave the following results (after undecided voters were distributed):

  • CHP: 34.6%

  • AK Party: 29.4%

  • DEM Party: 9.3%

  • MHP: 7.6%

  • Zafer Party: 6.2%

  • İYİ Party: 3.9%

  • Yeniden Refah Party: 3.3%

This puts CHP firmly in the lead, widening its distance from AK Party to 5.2 points—a symbolic victory amid mounting calls for political change.

Opposition Candidates Lead Presidential Scenarios

The survey’s presidential matchup simulations are just as striking. Both Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mansur Yavaş, potential opposition candidates, are shown to defeat President Erdoğan by margins exceeding 18 points in head-to-head contests:

  • Mansur Yavaş: 59.4%

  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: 40.6%

  • Ekrem İmamoğlu: 58.6%

  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: 41.4%

These figures highlight a growing electoral vulnerability for the incumbent president, should either opposition figure enter the race.

Economic Discontent Driving Voter Behavior

Beneath the shifting political landscape lies a critical undercurrent—economic hardship. According to the survey, a staggering 76.8% of respondents said they were unable to pay rent, bills, or other financial obligations in the last six months due to lack of income.

Breaking down the data by party affiliation reveals a nonpartisan economic crisis:

  • 78.5% of AK Party voters reported payment difficulties

  • 76.3% of MHP voters expressed similar struggles

These numbers point to a broad-based economic grievance, cutting across ideological lines and fueling public dissatisfaction.

Public Demands: Early Elections and Wage Adjustments

Reflecting this deepening unrest, 57.1% of those surveyed said they support early general elections, while an overwhelming 81.6% demand an interim increase to the minimum wage.

Even within government-leaning voter blocs:

  • 66.4% of AK Party supporters

  • 70.3% of MHP supporters
    also called for a minimum wage hike, underscoring bipartisan demand for economic relief.

This latest research indicates that economic instability is reshaping Türkiye’s political balance. As CHP leads national voting intentions and opposition candidates gain traction in presidential projections, mounting pressure for early elections and cost-of-living adjustments is likely to define the political discourse in the coming months.

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