Young people make up 12% of the total number of voters
Young Turkish voters voting for the first time look to change their status
Younger voters tend to compare their economic aspirations with that of their foreign peers.
Reuters
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The six million voters voting for the first time will decide whether to extend Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rule for a third term, or are looking forward to something they've never known before: Turkey under a different president.
Less than 12 days before what may be the biggest election in the country's modern history, a large majority of young Turks say they want change, but remain skeptical about the opposition's ability to properly improve employment, schools and freedoms such as free speech.
Young people make up about 12% of the total number of voters in the presidential and parliamentary elections expected in June 2023. Polls organizers say that young people will have the final say, in what will be a very difficult race for Erdogan and his ruling party, the Justice and Development Party.
Interviews with nearly 12 Turks, ranging in age from 18 to 23 in different areas from the metropolitan city of Istanbul, to central Anatolia, reveal that issues of justice, immigration and jobs, which are filled on the basis of merit, and transparent economic policies, are the most important preoccupations for thinking These young people.
"I don't feel comfortable with my decision, but I think I will pick the best of the bad (and support the opposition)," said Damla, 19, a student studying history in Istanbul.
Economic turmoil and rising inflation have increased her cost of living, even though she lives with her family and doesn't go out with her owners much.
"I feel like I'm not alive," Damla continued.
I'm just trying to survive.
If the AKP loses this election, the new government must still feel the pressure of the people on it.”
Opinion polls change, but they indicate that Erdogan will lose the election by a narrow margin and his AK Party will lose control of Parliament.
However, an unofficial opposition coalition has yet to announce a presidential candidate, leaving some young voters unconvinced, and Erdogan has scored a long string of victories since taking power in 2003.
The president moved a traditionally secular society in an Islamic direction, turned Turkey into a regional military power, and used the judiciary to pursue dissent.
Erdogan is currently facing a fierce electoral battle.
This is largely due to his unconventional economic policies, which have included cutting interest rates that have plunged the value of the lira to a historic low and pushed inflation to a 24-year high of 78.62% in June.
Data released by the Bureau of Statistics and Opinion Polls reveal that the so-called “Generation Z” includes about 13 million out of 62.4 million Turks who are scheduled to vote next year.
Murat Cezici, president of Jezeci polling company, said that young voters are generally angry with the government, but they do not hold to a particular ideology and do not fully trust the opposition.
Opinion polls conducted by his company show that "Generation Z" voters, aged between 18 and 25, strongly oppose the suppression of lifestyles, freedom of expression and the media.
"Eighty percent of this generation will not vote for the AKP," said Gezige.
Yusuf, 18, a first-time voter, said most global economies had hard times at the start of the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
"I think the person who rules our country today is the best and most appropriate leader," he said.
I will vote for the AKP because it makes plans to make people feel comfortable.”
"The economy may not be performing well, but this is the case in all countries," he added.
Official data revealed that the youth unemployment rate in Turkey stabilized at 20% in April, compared to an average of 10.87%, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Polls say that voters' motives cannot be determined, adding to the unpredictability of the election results.
It may depend on who a group of six opposition parties choose to challenge Erdogan.
"Young people are not going to change," said Muhammed Ali Kolat, president of the MAC polling company, whose research revealed that 70 percent of 18-29-year-olds support the opposition.
He added that younger voters tend to compare their economic aspirations with their foreign peers, while older voters look to infrastructure investments, such as roads and hospitals.
Helen, 21, said her living conditions had worsened because of government policies, and she would vote for the opposition, but she feared that her proposals would not effectively address the problems of current immigration policy or minority rights.
"I believe that the change of authority will at least solve the pressing issues," she said in a telephone conversation from Ankara.
Opinion polls indicate that Erdogan will lose the elections by a slight margin, and his AK Party will lose control of Parliament.
Young voters are angry with the government in general, but they do not adhere to a particular ideology and do not fully trust the opposition.
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