When I talk about why the left is struggling in Turkey, I don't start with the program, the cadre or the slogans. For me, the real issue is “prejudice”. A significant number of people have made up their minds about the left without hearing what it has to say, often without even listening to it. This decision is not based on knowledge, but on memory, fear and hearsay.
“The feeling that ”these people are not like us“, ”these people will interfere in our lives“, ”if these people come, order will be disrupted" gets in the way of politics.
This prejudice did not arise spontaneously. The memory of February 28, the headscarf issue, the tension between secularism and religion were already somewhere in society. The government consciously used this ground especially after the 2010s. After Gezi, the opposition was almost completely portrayed as a bloc ’fighting with values“, ”far from faith“, ”threatening the family“.
“Simple but powerful images such as ”the call to prayer will stop“, ”morality will collapse“, ”the family will fall apart" were repeatedly circulated. This discourse resonated with already hesitant segments of society.
But I must also say this clearly: The left has not always managed this picture well. Most of the time, instead of talking to people on the field, the defenders made defensive statements; they tried to correct the issue by saying “Actually, we didn't mean it that way”, “that's not the point”. But defense does not produce trust.
When discussing faith, distance was felt; when discussing the headscarf, concepts came to the fore, not the daily lives of people; people who hesitated or were confused about the LGBT issue were easily labeled as “reactionary” or “malicious”. The intentions were different, but the feeling was this:
“We are wrong, they are right.”
Where one feels like this, one closes down, becomes defensive.
But what resonates with the public is not justification, but trust.
Nevertheless, I say this clearly: Turkey needs a leftist government. This is not an ideological wish; it is the result of the structural problems the country is facing. The hardship of livelihood, income injustice, housing problems, health and education costs, damaged sense of justice, decreased trust in institutions... These are not problems that can be solved with short-term moves.
What Turkey needs is an understanding of governance that strengthens the social state, makes the law predictable and restores public balance. This is an area where the left has historically been strong. But in order for this strength to resonate with the people, the style of politics needs to change.
It is necessary to change the agenda. We cannot address the whole of this country by putting lifestyle debates at the center. People's agenda is much more concrete: rent, debt, jobs, health, education, justice. As soon as politics enters these topics, voters pay attention. When they hear about their own lives, their defense reflex falls.
Prejudices are not overcome by ignoring them; they are overcome by managing them. You don't respond to people's fear by shouting. No one will be convinced by saying “You are wrong”. First, this sentence must be established:
“I understand you.”
Clarity must follow: No one's beliefs or lifestyles will be interfered with. The state will be the state of everyone, not of one group. This trust is built not by saying a sentence once, but by repeating it every day with the same calmness and clarity. Trust requires continuity.
Concrete examples are decisive here: When coming to power, it must be clearly stated that imam hatip schools will not be closed, the headscarf will not be interfered with, and no one's private life will be monitored. At the same time, it must be equally clear that rent increases will be curbed, the judiciary will be made predictable and public spending will be monitored.
Another critical issue is to get out of the defense reflex. Politics that constantly explains itself appears weak. Stability, not explanation, gives confidence. Few sentences, clear stance, repetition... People look for consistency.
This is where the issue of representation comes into play. When the left speaks only in the language of a certain circle, the perception of “not one of us” is strengthened. However, at the center of politics should be the real life of the shopkeeper who opens his shop in the morning, the worker who leaves his shift, the family living in a conservative neighborhood, the young person who cannot find a job. This is not a matter of showcasing; it is a matter of sincerity. People listen when they see someone similar to themselves.
At this point, there is a strong example in Turkey's memory: Bülent Ecevit. The nickname “Karaoğlan” was not a propaganda product; it was a name given to him by the people. His simple language, his lack of pretension, his lack of arrogance, his lack of talking from above and, most importantly, his behavior as a leader who “stood by” people rather than “advising” them created trust. Ecevit received high votes not with big slogans, but with a calm stance, repeating clear messages and touching the people's agenda.
And promises... Not big words, but limited but concrete targets. People want to know what will change in the first six months. When there is clarity on a few topics such as rent, income and justice, politics ceases to be abstract and touches life.
Finally, let me say this: The tone should be soft, but the will should be clear. Neither shouting, nor belittling, nor talking from above... People are convinced when they feel listened to.
My conclusion is this: The problem with the left in Turkey is not that it is not right, but that it cannot inspire confidence. This trust is not built through slogans, but through contact, calmness and continuity. To the extent that the left is able to achieve this, it will find a response and support among the people in this country.