The rise of far-right populism in Türkiye: The case of the Zafer Party in 2023 election

This thesis examines the emergence of the Zafer Party and its impact on Turkish politics by focusing on its far-right populist discourse during the 2023 General Elections. Since the 1980s, globalization has exacerbated regional conflicts and migration, fueling populist and nationalist movements worldwide. In Türkiye, the mass migration from Syria has significantly altered the political landscape, contributing to the rise of right-wing populism. Founded in 2021 by Ümit Özdağ, the Zafer Party has capitalized on these dynamics, emphasizing a strong nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric. This study aims to analyze the Zafer Party's founding manifesto, newspaper coverage, and YouTube election rallies as representations of its media presence through thematic and content analysis methods. It seeks to understand the party's political strategies and ideological stance during the 2023 election campaign, its relationship with far-right populism, and its contribution to the anti-immigration dimension of Turkish nationalism. By doing so, the research aims to shed light on the party's ideological foundations, the evolution of its discourse, and the factors underlying its electoral success. The study identifies three key themes that resonate with voters: Anti-Immigration and Nationalism, Commitment to Atatürk's Principles and Reforms, and Combatting Corruption. These themes reflect the party's strategic alignment with public concerns, particularly those surrounding migration and national identity.The findings reveal that the influence of the globally rising far-right populism was also evident in Türkiye, particularly during this election period. The Zafer Party's impact on the 2023 elections was largely driven by its far-right populist discourse. These narratives not only amplified the party's influence but also emerged as one of the dominant themes of the electoral period. This analysis of the Zafer Party's role in the 2023 elections provides insights into far-right populist politics rooted in anti-immigration sentiment in Türkiye. The findings suggest that immigration and anti-immigration far-right rhetoric will remain significant themes in Turkish political discourse. This study contributes to ongoing debates on nationalism and political realignment within Türkiye's evolving political landscape. In doing so, it not only sheds light on the dynamics that facilitated the Zafer Party's electoral success but also offers a broader understanding of the forces shaping contemporary Turkish politics.