Turkish Voters: 73pct Say Turkey is “Heading in the Wrong Way”

A comprehensive survey conducted by Gündemar Research between February 23–26, 2026, reveals a deepening sense of pessimism among Turkish voters. The study, involving 2,325 participants, shows that nearly three-quarters of the population believes the country’s general situation is deteriorating. Most notably, a significant “crack” has appeared in the People’s Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı) sentiment, with nearly half of MHP voters now expressing negative views on the country’s trajectory.

1. General Sentiment: The “Wrong Direction” Dominates

When asked, “How do you evaluate Turkey’s general progress?” the response was overwhelmingly negative. The data suggests that even within government-aligned blocs, the “good days” narrative is struggling to hold.

• General Population: 73% say “Heading for the worse,” while only 24% say “Heading for the better.”

• AK Parti Voters: 63% still maintain an optimistic view (“Heading for the better”).

• MHP Voters: A pivotal shift was recorded, with only 45% saying the country is improving, while 46%—nearly half—align with the “heading for the worse” sentiment.

• Opposition Voters (CHP, DEM, İYİ): Pessimism exceeds 85% across these groups.

2. Turkish Voters: Economy is the “Absolute” Crisis

Mirroring the recent labor and inflation data, the economy remains the primary source of public anxiety.

1. Economy, Unemployment & Inflation: 54.3% (The clear primary concern).

2. Law, Justice & Judicial Independence: 18.8%.

3. Moral Decay: 10.1%.

4. Femicide & Gender Inequality: 3.0%.

5. Education System: 2.2%.

3. Opposition Performance: High Expectations, Low Grades

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the government, Turkish voters remain critical of the opposition’s ability to provide a viable alternative.

• Opposition Performance: 59% find the opposition “unsuccessful,” while only 36% view them as “successful.”

• Most Effective Party: CHP leads the opposition effectiveness ranking at 48.5%. Interestingly, 22.3% of respondents feel no party is currently doing an effective job.

• Newcomers: The Anahtar Parti (Key Party) has emerged as the second-most effective opposition force at 5.3%, surpassing more established parties such as Yeniden Refah and Zafer Partisi.

4. Leadership Rankings: Özgür Özel Leads the Pack

In terms of personal leadership impact, the CHP Chairman maintains a significant lead over his peers.

Strategic Outlook: The Rising “Undecided” & “Dissatisfied”

The most critical takeaway for 2026 is the 21.4%-22.3% “vacuum”, citizens who are dissatisfied with the status quo but do not yet see any existing leader or party as a solution. This “none of the above” bloc represents the most significant growth opportunity for both the main opposition and emerging third-way movements heading into the latter half of the year.