A panel of experts will offer their insights on a crucial parliamentary election in Turkey that is being held on November 1, 2015 following June's general election, which failed to give any party an absolute majority.
Many expected that the recent parliamentary election in June 2015 in Turkey would shape the fate of the country for years to come. Despite obtaining by far the highest popular vote among the competing parties, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has failed to secure a majority in the parliament. This was a watershed in recent history ending a more-than-a-decade period of single party rule. Turkey is going to the polls again on November 1, and by looking at electoral participation levels in foreign missions, turnout is expected to be very high. What outcomes did the repeat election of November 1 produce compared to the June 7 election? How can the results of the new election be understood and explained? What does the electoral landscape look like? What are the ramifications for Turkey’s politics, economy and foreign policy, including relations with the EU and the turbulent Middle East? After presenting a set of stylized facts on the results, CES Visiting Scholars Dr. Dimitar Bechev and Dr. H. Tolga Bolukbasi will animate discussion on these questions, and Dr. Kristin Fabbe will serve as a discussant.
