Left and Right Both Nationalist

The election campaigns and the accompanying rhetoric show that many parties are exploiting an increase in nationalism. CHP, traditionally referred to as centre-left and the nationalist MHP are displaying an unprecedented degree of rapprochement.

İstanbul

According to Prof. Dr. Arus Yumul, from the sociology department at Bilgi University, İstanbul, the recent similarity in discourses used by the Republican People's Party (CHP) - allegedly a party of the left- and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is to be interpreted as a rapprochement of two different kinds of nationalism.

"The CHP sees itself as continuing the statist/bureaucratic tradition and appeals to voters who have appropriated this tradition. The MHP is more 'populist' and supports a more populist nationalism. CHP attracts the centre, the elite, while the MHP targets the nationalist feelings of the periphery. And both party's discourses are starting to resemble each other."

CHP more nationalist, MHP more statist

Yumul says that the CHP is emphasizing the nationalism which the left has ignored. The MHP has got rid off elements that were outside of the system and has moved closer to the state. Thus, the MHP has appropriated some of the statism of the CHP, and the CHP is becoming more populist.

It has come to the point where some nationalists will vote for the CHP and some of those disillusioned with the ruling AKP will vote for the MHP. The CHP represents the centre-left less and less, while the MHP has become less of a radical choice. (NK/TK/AG)