Over half of government supporters believe Istanbul Municipality is run by terrorists

Duvar English 

In response to the question of whether the opposition-led Istanbul Municipality (İBB) had hired hundreds of people linked to terrorism, over half of ruling People’s Alliance supporters in a new poll by MetroPOLL said “yes.”

This comes following the announcement of an investigation by the Turkish government into İBB and opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu for alleged links to terrorism.

“Do you believe the claim that Ekrem İmamoğlu has recruited 500 people linked to terrorism to the municipality?” the survey asked.

While overall 61.7% of respondents did not believe the claim, that number fell to 26.7% of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) voters and 30.7% of National Movement Party (MHP) voters. 54.3% of AKP voters and 53.3% of MHP voters believed the claim was true. 

The survey aptly demonstrated the polarization of the Turkish political environment. In contrast, 90% of main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) voters, 93.9% of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) voters, and 89.9% of İYİ (Good) Party voters believed the claim was untrue.

In the lead-up to an election that is sure to see government claims of terrorism and fraud levied against the opposition, this poll has important ramifications. Those who profess support for the ruling AKP-MHP coalition are overwhelmingly likely to believe what they state as truth.