Public highly critical of opposition’s position on coup probe, poll reveals

The poll, conducted by the MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research Center, shows that 70.4 percent of respondents disapprove of the position of Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal on the Sledgehammer plot probe. The plot was allegedly drafted by members of the military who intended to stage a coup. Many retired and active duty military members have thus far been detained for suspected links to the plot.

Only slightly more than 21 percent of respondents said they approve of Baykal’s position on the probe. The CHP leader has alleged on various occasions that the probe is an attempt by the AK Party to undermine the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).

A full 61 percent of respondents said they do not agree with the position of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on the suspected plot. Only 27.8 percent lent their support to Bahçeli on the issue. According to the MHP leader, the Sledgehammer probe is part of a smear campaign by the ruling party against the armed forces.

The respondents were also questioned about their level of confidence in the General Staff in the wake of the Sledgehammer probe as part of which former force commanders have been detained. Former Air Forces Commander Gen. İbrahim Fırtına, former Naval Forces Commander Adm. Özden Örnek and retired Gen. Çetin Doğan were released pending trial after three days in custody late last month.

While 50.1 percent of respondents said their level of confidence in the General Staff has not changed as a result of the probe, 32.5 percent said they saw a decrease in their confidence in the military. Slightly more than 15 percent said the probe boosted their confidence.

According to 41 percent of respondents, recent developments in Turkey have weakened democracy. Nearly 30 percent, however, believe Turkey has a stronger democracy thanks to these developments.

One of the major questions directed at participants of the poll concerned reactions against two AK Party deputies who drew harsh criticism for their recent remarks. Last month, Kahramanmaraş deputy Avni Doğan publicly said his party was categorizing its opponents while Çorum deputy Ahmet Aydoğmuş said opponents of the ruling party had “problems with their roots.”

Nearly 47 percent said the AK Party should “strongly” warn the two deputies and 43 percent said they should be expelled from the party. Only 10.1 percent said the deputies should go unpunished.

‘Coefficient system is unjust, unfair’

A coefficient system employed in the calculation of university admission exam scores which makes it more difficult for graduates of vocational high schools to enroll in a university program of their choice was referred to as unjust and unfair by 64.1 percent of poll participants. Only 26.2 expressed support for the system.

There is currently disagreement between the Higher Education Board (YÖK) and the Council of State over the abolishment of the system. While YÖK is working on alternative plans to replace the system, the Council of State is strongly pushing to retain it.

More than 58 percent of those polled said graduates of vocational schools should be subject to the same score calculation method as graduates of regular high schools, but 34.9 said the existing system should be retained.

Asked what they considered Turkey’s most serious problem, the largest share of respondents, 34.8 percent, pointed to unemployment. This was followed by the financial crisis, terrorism, coups, the Kurdish question and issues related to the ruling party.