Political parties in Türkiye are working hard to finalize their candidate lists by the April 9 deadline. The relevant committees probably find it more difficult to select candidates today than ever. The already-complex selection process is further complicated by electoral alliances producing joint lists in certain districts and trying to predict how those decisions may influence the allocation of parliamentary seats.

It would seem that HDP has started dominating the opposition bloc with its radical demands as well as marginal discourse.

We are confident that this issue of Insight Turkey entitled “Türkiye at the Crossroads: The 2023 Election” will addresses some of the issues that have been dominating the political agenda lately in Türkiye and we hope and believe that the insightful and stimulating debates raised on the issue will be helpful to our readers.

The 2023 elections in Türkiye, which the international media describe as “the world’s most important election,” have substantial symbolic value by taking place at the beginning of the republic’s second century. All the campaigns focus on which political system, vision and leader will bring Türkiye into the next century.

The pro-PKK HDP strengthened its hand vis-à-vis the 'table for six' by opting to field its own presidential candidate

'It is perfectly understandable that the AK Party, which oversaw major transformations from identity initiatives to the defense industry, has been at the heart of a heated debate for 12 years'

'As the government prepares to take additional steps as part of its positive agenda, much more will be said about the opposition’s delayed unveiling of its program – the Republic’s future – not to mention its continued inability to endorse a joint presidential candidate'

The Century of Türkiye refers to unity politics instead of identity politics; instead of the politics of polarization, the politics of integration; instead of the politics of denial, the politics of embracing; the politics of freedom instead of the politics of domination; the name of substituting the politics of love for the politics of hate, he outlined.

President Erdoğan has sent a strong and clear message to its opponents in internal politics and the country's adversaries by unveiling the 'Century of Türkiye'

'The vision document Türkiye's Century, which uses inclusive and embracing language to urge various social groups to launch new initiatives and shape the country's next century, focuses on hope and working together'

The perception of Erdoğan as a leader to guide Türkiye in an increasingly uncertain world has come to be shared even by the opposition as attempts by Kılıçdaroğlu to dictate the political agenda have been backfiring

As Türkiye started to attract attention with its international relations and foreign policy, it also expanded its military presence to different states and redefined its relations with the West

Two unfortunate statements from the opposition cast a dark shadow on its idea of the 'new Türkiye'

As Türkiye learns to use its soft power along with its military might, it continues to pursue a successful foreign policy and a role as a regional leader

'Turkish foreign policy is a quest for independence in the national context, a quest for a leadership role in the regional context and a quest for autonomous status in the global context'

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has been in power for 20 years thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s exemplary political leadership and popular support

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to the Hüseyin Gazi Cemevi, an Alevi house of worship, following the recent assaults on three cemevis in Ankara came to be viewed as a sign that various identity groups were back on the political agenda. Some argued that Erdoğan’s visit, along with his plan to visit the Hacı Bektaş Lodge, was an 'investment for the election.'