From 'promising spring' to 'land of fear': the issue convergence during the 2023 Turkish general elections

Abstract

Political campaigns build a bridge between candidates and voters by providing information and persuasion. . Mobilizing strategies rely on a certain repertoire, focusing on salient issues that candidates believe will make them appear more confident. However, the nature of political contests does not allow candidates to ignore their rivals' appeals; instead, they respond in ways that lead them to adopt similar frames, generating issue convergence. This article aims to scrutinize the discursive shift of Kemal K & imath;l & imath;& ccedil;daro & gbreve;lu, who conducted the 2023 presidential campaign under the Nation Alliance. The context-based competition and the condensed electoral schedule in allow us to examine how mainstream opposition blocs can be influenced by more nationalist and extreme narratives. The article argues that the electoral campaign initially framed inclusiveness articulating '' togetherness '' and shared grievances. For the second round, the campaign tone shifted toward a more nativistand exclusiveness, emphasizing issues of anti-migration, criminalization and '' the protection of Turkish women ''.