Poll shows majority disapproves of Baykal’s accusation against gov’t on video scandal

Habervaktim.com broadcast a two-part video without audio last week allegedly featuring Baykal and CHP deputy Nesrin Baytok. The recordings seem to have been made using hidden cameras, one of which was placed in a wardrobe. Baykal announced his immediate resignation from party leadership on Monday amid fallout from the video clip and pointed to the AK Party as being responsible for the emergence of the video.

The respondents were asked for their opinion about the goals of those who published the video. Thirty percent of the participants said the video was an attempt by Baykal’s opponents within the CHP to overthrow him, while 19 percent said shadowy forces within the state aimed to restructure the left and the CHP with the publication of the sex tape.

When asked who was behind the publication of the video, 21 percent said intra-party opposition within the CHP, 20 percent put the blame on foreign countries who want to restructure Turkish politics and 11 percent said the deep state is behind the scandal.

Majority finds resignation correct

The respondents participating in the MetroPOLL survey were also asked whether Baykal’s decision to step down from his post was correct, with 61 percent saying Baykal should have resigned and that he did the right thing, while 30 percent said his resignation was a bad decision.

With the resignation of Baykal, who has been elected to head the party 10 times, the CHP finds itself in a quandary as to who will step in as its new leader. The decision also spells the end of Baykal’s four-decade political career.

Baykal’s resignation came only one week before the CHP’s national congress, scheduled for May 22. Baykal was hoping to go to the congress without any rivals for the party’s top spot. The video, however, spoiled Baykal’s plans. CHP officials said Baykal is not considering attending the next party congress; however, there are rumors that Baykal may return to the party’s leadership at the congress at the demand of the CHP administration and supporters.

When asked if Baykal will return to the CHP leadership or not, 50.5 percent of the respondents said yes, while 40.3 percent said no. The remaining 9.2 percent said they had no opinion.

The respondents were also asked about their opinions as to whether Baykal should revoke his resignation or not. Sixty-three percent said he should not, while 32 percent said he should.

When the participants in the survey were asked who would benefit the most from Baykal’s resignation, 30 percent said the CHP itself, while 28 percent said it would be to the benefit of the ruling party.

The respondents were also asked about their opinions on whether the CHP’s votes would increase or decrease in the absence of Baykal. While 50 percent said the party would garner more votes without Baykal, 25 percent said the CHP would lose votes after Baykal’s resignation. Fifteen percent, on the other hand, said his resignation would not affect the CHP’s votes.

When asked if they think Baykal was successful as an opposition party leader against the ruling AK Party, 52.7 percent said no while 44.3 percent said they found him to be successful.

Currently there are a few CHP members whose names are being mentioned as potential party leaders. Among them is Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who has long been promoted by a certain media group as a suitable candidate to head the CHP. CHP İstanbul provincial chairman Gürsel Tekin is also regarded by many as one of the strongest contenders for party leadership. Others have also indicated their willingness to take the helm of the CHP. Among these are Samsun deputy Haluk Koç, İstanbul deputy Ali Topuz, Tekirdağ deputy Faik Öztrak and writer-musician-film director Zülfü Livaneli.

As for the question of who should lead the CHP, 31 percent of respondents in the MetroPOLL survey said Kılıçdaroğlu. Kılıçdaroğlu was followed by Şişli Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, who currently leads the Turkey Movement for Change (TDH) with 7.73 percent.

When asked about recent claims by the CHP that Sarıgül bribed a gang leader to shoot the CHP leader in the legs during his visit to Brussels on April 13, 79 percent of respondents said these claims are not true, while only 7 percent said they could be true.