Turkey's ruling Islamist party dominates national elections, regains majority in parliament
![Turkey's ruling AKP party wins back a majority of parliament](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dG5mnV9iPCby6E6N4hsxtQ-415-80.jpg)
On Sunday, Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) regained the governing majority it lost in June elections, taking about 49.3 percent of the vote in national elections for an estimated 316 seats in Turkey's 550-seat parliament. Polls had suggested the Islamist AKP would win 40-43 percent, in line with the share it earned in June. The secular Republican People's Party (CHP) won 25.4 percent, for 134 seats, while the main Kurdish party, the People's Democratic Party (HDP), got 59 seats, a loss of 21. The AKP's gains came mainly at the expense of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), now down to 41 seats.
The AKP's surprisingly large victory was a big boost for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the dominant figure in Turkish politics, and his prime minister, AKP leader Ahmet Davutoglu. Davutoglu declared victory, appealed for calm and peace after months of turmoil and violence, and urged parliament to "form a new civilian national constitution," a move Erdogan favors to turn his largely ceremonial post into a U.S.-style executive presidency. The AKP fell 14 seats short of being able to call a referendum on a new constitution and some 60 seats shy of being able to push through a new constitution without a referendum.
Analysts say the AKP won back its governing majority by promising stability and striking a nationalist tone, while critics pointed to the pre-election crackdown on dissent and opposition media outlets. The party's big win could spur the government to restart stalled peace talks with Kurdish separatists, says BBC News analyst Mark Lowen, but "there are also fears that the political polarization stoked by President Erdogan could deepen and a clampdown on free speech worsen as the AK Party feels emboldened. The election is over. But turbulent times lie ahead." For more, watch the Reuters report below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published