Türkiye elections: How Turkish youth is shaping politics and governance

With an estimated 13 million citizens below 24, Türkiye’s youthful population is poised to significantly impact the May 14 presidential and parliamentary elections.

A staggering five million first-time voters will cast their ballots, highlighting the increasing importance of young Turks in politics.

Experts like Ozlem Danaci Yuce, an associate professor in the Department of Communications at Galatasaray University, are unanimous that the youth could have a significant say in the election results.

“It is critical that this youthful electorate comprises young people who are politically aware, that is, who are knowledgeable or eager to learn about political concerns and who discuss social topics with their families and networks,” she tells TRT World, pointing out that approximately one-fourth of the voters are aged between 18-29.

She also emphasises the importance of creating an environment within the civil society where young people feel comfortable discussing political issues and offering solutions. This will make them feel less alienated from politics, she says, and they will be more likely to get involved at all levels of politics, starting from the grassroots level.

Youth representation

The current representation of young people in parliament is well short, with only eight out of 600 parliamentarians aged between 18-29.

To address this gap, major political parties are actively seeking to attract young politicians to their ranks, recognising the need to adapt their strategies to appeal to this demographic.

“If a political movement, ideology, or party is unable to reach out to young people, it is putting its future at risk. Politics is not something you learn later in life,” says Mahmut Hakki Akin, a professor of sociology at Medeniyet University, Istanbul.

“Those who have been involved in active politics since a young age, notwithstanding their weariness, perform better in politics as a profession. As a result, political involvement is crucial for both young people and other stakeholders in the political system,” stresses Akin, whose 2009 doctoral thesis was titled ‘Youth in the Process of Political Socialisation’.

The definition of a young MP has changed in the Turkish Parliament over the past 20 years. Prior to 2006, the minimum age to run for office was 30, and those under 40 were considered to represent a younger demographic in the legislature.

Thanks to a 2006 constitutional change – initially proposed by the AK Party – the age of candidacy was lowered to 25, resulting in five young MPs aged 25-29 between 2015-2018.

With another amendment in 2017, the eligibility age for parliamentary candidates was reduced to 18, resulting in a total of eight MPs aged 18-29 in the current Parliament.

“Young people’s interest and participation in politics is likely to grow in the years to come,” says Akin, stressing that the argument about the youth being apolitical has been a topic of discussion since at least the 1980s.

“Turkish youth nowadays is not depoliticised. High rates of political engagement and media consumption persist in Türkiye. There is just a shift in the forms by which political affiliation is displayed,” he adds.

Akin emphasises that youth participation in the political process is a crucial component of being a responsible citizen and contributing member of society. “Young people’s involvement in politics is vital because it shows that they understand the need for civic engagement, care about their country, and are willing to take responsibility for their country,” he adds.

The young voters feel the same way as they get ready to join the democratic process. Emine, 21, a philosophy student at Bogazici University, is one of the five million first-time voters.

“Voting for the first time in my life in these elections makes me feel responsible,” Emine tells TRT World, who wants to be identified only by her first name. “Even if it’s only a slight change, I know it will have an impact on the country’s future. Simply said, I have never felt obligated to take part in politics. For the first time, I’ll actually be contributing,” she adds.

Youth running for Parliament

Most political parties in contention have fielded young candidates to woo this aspirational section of the electorate.

The AK Party has nominated 25 parliamentary candidates between 18-30, including young standout candidates like Nisa Alptekin, an 18-year-old social services student from Izmir, and Umut Arman Sonay, a 19-year-old member of the Turkish national water polo team from Galatasaray.

The opposition also nominates youthful candidates in an effort to appeal to first-time voters.

The joint CHP and IYI Party list features young candidates from various backgrounds, such as seven students, a lawyer, a sportswoman, a communication specialist and a political scientist. One of the most notable contenders is Irem Yaman, a taekwondo world champion and amateur kickboxer.

Muharrem Ince’s Memleket Party has nominated Omer Erkenci, a high school senior who placed first in the state’s high school admission exam and is currently on a full scholarship at Bahcesehir Science and Technology High School.

“The fact that young deputy candidates are organised in line with the expectations of young people is another factor that contributes to the rise in the number of young deputies,” says Akin.

To increase the political involvement of Turkish youth, he also suggests closer cooperation between young deputies and public institutions.

“It is certain that these young deputies will have an advantage over adults and the elderly in terms of having a good understanding of the language of the youth and sharing the reality of their peers,” he adds.

As the country gears up for the elections, there is a sense of hope and optimism surrounding the role of young Turks in shaping the country’s political landscape.

With a growing number of first-time voters and young politicians, the youth voice is becoming increasingly influential. Major political parties are recognising the importance of youth representation in parliament, and while there is still room for improvement, the increasing presence of youth in Turkish politics is an encouraging sign for the future of democracy in the country.