ABSTRACT
Providing a critical appraisal of the CHP’s achievements as set out in the last chapter is not easy and raises some contentious points. In electoral terms, under the leadership of Bülent Ecevit (1972 onwards), the CHP achieved its highest share of the popular vote since the establishment of multi-party politics. However at no-time did the CHP succeed in forming a single-party government. In fact between 1961 and 1980, the CHP was in office for no more than six years, relying on unstable coalition partners.1 The lack of a prolonged period in office offers a partial explanation as to why the party failed to achieve its set goals.
