Socio Politik Field Research Centre conducted a field research on the current developments in 16 cities of Kurdistan between 18-20 May. The field survey, which was conducted face-to-face with 1,504 people, focused on the perceptions, tendencies, expectations and demands of citizens regarding the process that has begun for the solution of the Kurdish issue and the democratisation of the country.

 

ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE KURDISH ISSUE

 

Respondents gave the following answers to the question "What is Turkey's most important and prioritised problem?"

 

* 68.9 per cent: Economic crisis/unemployment

* 16.4 per cent: Kurdish issue

* 3.7 per cent: Education system

* 3.2 per cent: Current state of the legal system

* 2.7 per cent: Lack of democracy

* 1.5 per cent: Conflict and violence

* 1.5 per cent: Lack of opposition

* 0.9 per cent: Presidential system

* 0.5 per cent: Health system

* 0.4 per cent: Structure of the current constitution

* 0.3 per cent: Foreign policy

 

SUPPORT FOR PKK'S DECISION

 

The respondents were asked how they evaluated the decisions of the PKK, which convened its 12th Congress on 5-7 May, on "dissolution and disarmament".

 

The total rate of those who found the decision positive was 71.5 percent. The results of the survey are as follows:

 

* Very positive: 15,1

* Positive: 56.4

* Undecided: 17,4

* Negative: 1,7

* Very negative: 4,3

* No idea: 5,1

 

Immediately afterwards, the respondents were asked the question "Do you think the PKK's decision to dissolve and disarm will be sufficient to ensure lasting peace in Turkey?".

 

While 36.8 per cent of the citizens answered "Yes", 22.7 per cent answered "No". 27.9 per cent answered "Partly" and 6.7 per cent answered "Undecided".

 

'RESPONSIBILITY LIES WITH PARLIAMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT'

 

Participants were asked the open-ended question "Who/which structure do you think has the primary responsibility for the transformation of the PKK's disarmament and dissolution decisions into a lasting peace?".

 

48.4 percent answered "Parliament", 39 percent "AKP and MHP", 6.1 percent "DEM Party" and 2.5 percent "society".

 

To the question "Do you think that the Parliament should take the initiative in order for the process to evolve into a lasting peace?" 79 percent of the research group answered "Yes", 8.7 percent "Undecided", 6.3 percent "No opinion" and 6 percent "No".

 

NEW CONSTITUTION EXPECTATION

 

Participants were asked whether a new constitution was needed for the process to be concluded positively. 67.4 per cent stated that there is a need.

 

13.4 per cent said "No", 8.6 per cent said "Partially", 4 per cent said "Undecided" and 6.5 per cent said "No idea".

 

The question "What do you think are the top 3 priorities for this process to move forward?" was one of the important questions of the field survey.

 

The responses to these open-ended questions are as follows:

 

* 13.6 per cent: Democratic/reassuring steps should be taken

* 10.4 per cent: No opinion

* 7.6 per cent: Work for peace

* 7 per cent: Parliament and political parties should participate in the process

* 6.3 per cent: Must be transparent and constructive

* 5.8 per cent: Kurdish rights should be constitutionally guaranteed

* 4.5 per cent: Political prisoners should be released

* 4.5 per cent: Constitutional amendments should be made

 

DEM PARTY ON THE RISE

 

Finally, the question "Which party would you vote for if there was a general election this Sunday?" was asked.

 

According to the responses, DEM Party showed an increase of 3.7 and AKP a decrease of 5.9 compared to the general elections in 2023.

 

* 44.9 per cent: DEM Party

* 19.5 per cent: AKP

* 10.6 per cent: Undecided

* 9.2 per cent: CHP

* 15.8 per cent: Other parties