The Economic Context of Turkey’s June and November 2015 Elections

Abstract:
This article argues that the economic context of 7 June 2015 and 1 November 2015 general elections differed to a great extent. First, while the economy was central in the June elections, its prominence was shadowed in November by rising security concerns.

Second, while Turkey’s macroeconomic indicators were pretty unpromising prior to the June elections, increasing growth figures before November, with the help of the AK Party’s presentation of it, revived the public’s optimism about the AK Party’s economic performance.

Third, in the June elections, the opposition parties plied the electorate with positive economic messages. The AK Party avoided this trend in June but joined the populist camp after seeing the voters’ positive reactions to economic promises. These three differences between the economic contexts of the June and November elections made the AK Party more appealing to voters in November.

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