Survey: HDP below threshold with further drop in support


Even though four main parties have seats in Parliament as a result of the Nov. 1 elections, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) would not pass the 10 percent national election threshold in a hypothetical election today, according to a recent survey conducted by the Istanbul-based consulting company İVEM in 16 provinces.

The survey found that 8.4 of those polled would vote for the HDP if there were an election this Sunday, which is not enough to passed the election threshold. The poll found 52.4 percent support for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), 25.2 percent support for the Republican People's Party (CHP) and 11.3 percent support for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Additionally, 56 percent of participants said that terrorism is Turkey's biggest problem, with 10 percent indicating that unemployment, the economy, education and international affairs are problems in the country.

The survey also found that 63 percent of participants support military operations against the PKK terrorist organization in the southeast and 45.3 percent of respondents indicated that the AK Party should be primarily responsible for undertaking any possible reconciliation process in efforts to reach a solution regarding the PKK. According to the survey, 60 percent of participants are in favor of switching to a presidential system and 31 percent of participant oppose a switch in governmental systems.