Erdogan Leads, Imamoglu Excluded in Turkish Poll

A recent poll by ORC, a polling company linked to Turkey's ruling AKP party, shows President Erdogan leading with 42.5% positive opinions. He is followed by the opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, with 36.8% and the leader of the far-right party, Devlet Bahceli, with 23.1%. The poll was conducted in 26 provinces between January 11-13, 2026, with a sample size of 2,150 people. A key point noted by analysts is the exclusion of Ekrem Imamoglu, the Mayor of Istanbul and a prominent opposition figure, from the survey. This omission is considered a methodological limitation that may affect the results. The poll focuses on the acceptance of political leaders by Turkish society and provides a snapshot of current political preferences. However, Imamoglu's absence raises questions about the completeness of the picture presented. The poll results are expected to impact political discussions in Turkey as the next elections approach. Erdogan's leading position confirms his continued influence, while Ozel's position suggests a strong opposition.