Nationalist and conservative electorate deserting the AKP

Nationalist-conservative voters have been disappointed that values vital to them have been eroded by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), according to a candidate from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The nationalist-conservatives are now deserting the ruling party, claims Professor Ekmeleddin ?hsano?lu, who ran as a joint candidate of the MHP and the Republican People Party (CHP) during the last presidential elections.

As a person who has built his career on international platforms, how do you conduct your campaign? Do you mainly focus on foreign policy issues?

I talk about it when there is a question. But people are tremendously concerned about the issue of Syrian refugees. There is huge unemployment and adding 2 million refugees to the already existing unemployed masses creates a big problem. In addition, people are feeling insecure. There is serious anxiety over the civil wars going on in our neighbors.

But the biggest cause of concern is the economic difficulty. The AKP aimed at abolishing corruption, poverty and bans. But corruption and poverty have increased; so have the bans. The enacted draconian laws which transfer the power from the judiciary to the police are creating concerns among citizens.

Do you claim that the MHP is less prone to advocate limiting freedoms?  Looking at its election manifesto, there is no mention of the Kurdish issue. Instead is the promise to revise laws that are claimed to have weakened the fight against terror. That does not give the impression that the MHP will have a more democratic, liberal vision.

The struggle against terrorists is obviously a vital issue for Turkey's security and integrity.  With the turmoil in our environment and a disintegrated Iraq and a...