AKP: Data Analysis, Current Polls, and Policy Positions

The AKP's foundation is rooted in a value-conservative worldview that regards Islam as the central social and cultural identity of Turkish society. It positions itself as the voice of "conservative democracy," thereby distinguishing itself from the strict secularism championed by previous elites. Its understanding of the state is characterized by strong national pride and the ambition to revive Turkey's historical prominence. In this framework, the collective good of the nation and the preservation of traditional family values often take precedence over individualistic liberal freedoms.

The AKP's agenda centers on large-scale infrastructure development, fostering technological independence, and bolstering the domestic industrial base. It specifically targets the religiously conservative middle class in Anatolia and the urban working class, offering them opportunities for participation through social welfare initiatives and economic upliftment. In foreign policy, the party advocates for a shift away from exclusive Western alignment towards strategic autonomy, aiming to secure influence in both the Middle East and the Global South.

Strategically, the AKP has fundamentally reshaped Turkey's political system, transitioning from a parliamentary model to a presidential center of power. It leverages state institutions to solidify its hegemony and maintains a populist relationship with its base, portraying itself as the defender of the popular will against "internal and external enemies." Critics accuse the party of eroding the separation of powers and weakening press freedom, while the AKP justifies these actions as essential for increasing efficiency and ensuring national stability.