Avatkov Vladimir Alekseevith – ScD in Political Sciences, Head of the Department of Middle and Post-Soviet East, INION RAS
In the local elections in Turkey in 2024, the decline in the ratings and support of the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP) became clearly visible, while for the opposition left-wing party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) the elections were a chance for a new rise. For this reason, it is important to study the activities of left-wing parties in Turkey representing different ideological trends: socialism, communism, social democracy and left-wing nationalism. Particular attention is paid to revealing the peculiarities of the current party system and correlating the programmes of the opposing AKP and ANRP. The article also considers less known left opposition parties, their programmes and leaders. It describes pro-left organisations, mass media, human rights organisations, educational and cultural organisations, youth and student organisations, political alliances and coalitions. A separate block is devoted to the leftist thinkers who have laid the conceptual and theoretical basis of modern leftist movements in the Republic of Turkey. The role and place of left-wing parties in the political process of Turkey are shown. It is concluded that under conditions of economic crises, corruption and authoritarian tendencies in the government of the Justice and Development Party, the popularity of leftist ideas and movements is increasing. Despite the fact that leftist parties in the country continue to face increased presidential power, media control, and repression, they have a real chance to strengthen their positions in the country's political life.
Republic of Turkey, left-wing parties, elections, opposition, parliament.
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