Ruling AK Party reportedly gains voter support as local polls disappointments mount

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), long scrutinized for losing voter support and a decline in performance following the March 31 local elections, is reportedly regaining ground.

Recent polls suggest the AK Party’s vote losses have stalled, and in some cases, the party is seeing a resurgence.

Surveys tracking voters who had shifted to other parties during local elections show a trend of returning support – a development closely monitored by AK Party leadership.

Party officials claim they are observing this shift firsthand, noting that disaffected voters are returning “sooner than expected.”

Amid ongoing nationwide meetings, branded as “Türkiye Meetings,” party sources indicate that voters who had temporarily backed other parties – citing economic challenges and other concerns – began experiencing difficulties with local services within six months.

As a result, they are now reclaiming the votes they had “loaned” to opposition parties.

AK Party officials slam main opposition

AK Party officials, citing field observations, say voters in municipalities that switched from AK Party control to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) or others are disappointed.

“None of the promises made before the elections have been kept. There are many demands, but no solutions,” said one of the officials.

“Voters gave us a warning, but now they’re frustrated by disruptions to their comfort and services. As inflation begins to fall, confidence in the economy is returning, and voters realize who they can trust. They’ve also grown angry over nepotistic appointments in opposition-run municipalities,” he added.

Officials added that the party’s ongoing congress process has further energized AK Party grassroots organizations.