The Importance of The 2023 Presidential Elections for Turkish Politics

Abstract

Elections are an essential practice in the democratic development of a country regarding the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. Elections are thus recognized as a primary means of ensuring people's control in modern democracies. Elections have significantly contributed to the development of democratic life in Turkey after the transition to the multi-party system. As the Republic enters its centennial year, the presidential elections held in 2023 are considered one of the most critical elections of the recent period for political parties in political, economic and social terms. In this second election of the presidential system of government, political parties formed alliances within the framework of the essential characteristics and requirements of the new system. The formation of alliances can be analyzed in two dimensions. The first aimed to continue the structure and understanding of the "New Turkey" that began with the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan era in Turkish politics. The second is to end the AKP government's practices led by Erdoğan since 2002 and to rebuild the country. This study will try to explain the results of the 2023 presidential election for the winners and losers and the implications of this situation for Turkish politics.