2002 Constantinopolitan general election (Queen of Cities)

The 2002 Constantinopolitan general election was held on January 13, 2002 as the term of the previous 17th Parliament ended. The ruling coalition of New Way and The Socialists was defeated, losing its control of the chamber. The parties that had dominated the previous decade of Constantinopolitan politics suffered losses their number of seats and share of the popular vote to the smaller Patriotic Movement (far-right), Act Now! (green politics) and United Conservative Party (national-conservative). Following the election Meryem Asatryan would remain prime minister under a new coalition government of New Way, the Socialists and Act Now!.

Electoral system
The 200 deputies of Parliament were chosen from a single nationwide electoral district with a 5% threshold.

Background
The previous parliamentary term was notable by Constantinople's accession to the European Union in 1999 which had been the culmination of a decade of efforts by various prime ministers. Thanks to the country's integration with the wider European and global economy Constantinople led to increasing economic growth for the previous four years. The country became a prime target as a potential regional headquarter for major corporations due to its low tax rate and government subsidies.

During her term as prime minister Meryem Asatryan shifted her party to the center-left by implementing raises in social spending, reducing the workweek to 38 hours, expanding the pension and health care systems, and adopting a supportive stance on same-sex unions or environmental regulations. New Way transition to the center-left translated the population's acceptance of the neoliberal policies that had been criticized by the country's traditional left wing.