Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Mithat Sancar called for unity among democratic forces in Turkey, ahead of the party’s advisory board meeting in Istanbul on Thursday.
“Our call is clear: All forces of democracy have to unite against the government’s malicious tricks, lies and plans to drive society into chaos. The widest partnership in the struggle, the strongest union of will is going to allow us to get through these elections with success,” Sancar told reporters ahead of the meeting.
Various politicians, writers and civil society representatives attended the meeting to discuss the campaign period for the 14 May elections in the country.
“We have no other choice but to win together, and we are confident in the majority of society’s support for this cause,” Sancar said.
The co-chair condemned the Constitutional Court’s decision to not postpone the date for the HDP’s defence in the closure case against the party. “After a 24-month case, the court has somehow determined that it cannot wait another month. We understand the implications of this decision,” he said.
Sancar repeated his earlier comments that there is nothing more the party could do. “With this decision, the ball is now in the Constitutional Court’s – or rather the government’s court. The case is at their mercy, but we are aware that we have no right to abandon the future of this country and the hope for democratic transformation to the whims of the government.”
Bringing all democratic forces together on the same page is critical to realising the goal of democratic transformation and change, Sancar said. “Not only during the election but also in building a new life and a path to a new order.”
As the third largest voting bloc in the country, the HDP is key in determining the outcome of the parliamentary and presidential elections. The party is not fielding its own candidate, instead focusing on supporting the opposition.
“The majority of society has the power to send this government packing. But we hold the responsibility to build a new beginning, to construct democracy, justice, freedom and peace,” Sancar said. “We consider this duty to be a historic responsibility towards the present and the future.”
Following Sancar’s address to the press, the meeting proceeded behind closed doors.
