Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The lesson from Turkey’s June and November elections is clear: the country’s voters want a strong, stable government, but not one that runs roughshod over its opponents.
The prevailing degree of polarization is inimical to Turkey and its democracy. The November election provides an opportunity for the country to redress this environment of acrimony.
On November 1, Turkey will hold its second parliamentary election in just five months. As in the previous contest, the outcome is proving tricky to predict.
The recent terrorist attack in Ankara is likely to have major ramifications for both the domestic and the regional policies of the Turkish government.
Turkey cannot be the solution for the European Union’s inability to act collectively to address the refugee crisis and develop policies to share the burden.
The deepening of the EU-Turkey Customs Union is viewed as an undertaking to accelerate Ankara's EU accession process. The deal is also set to have a significant impact on the Turkish economy.
The Iran deal can create a new climate of cooperation and raise the prospect of peace and stability in the Middle East.
If the UK leaves the EU, that might also be a game changer for Ankara. But a partnership short of membership could fail to drive further political reforms in Turkey.
The prospect of a coalition government offers Turkey an opportunity to overhaul its political culture and inch the country toward becoming a genuinely liberal democracy.
Turkey’s June 7 parliamentary election delivered a surprise result, with losses for the ruling party and gains for the main pro-Kurdish party. What happens next?
