Meral Danış Beştaş, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s co-mayoral candidate for Istanbul, made a rare television appearance on Habertürk TV on Wednesday, where she emphasised the party’s commitment to winning through the dissemination of truth rather than engaging in the divisive win-lose politics that currently dominate Turkish politics.
“Our objective is not about winning or losing; it’s about conveying the truth to Turkey,” Beştaş stated, highlighting the party’s approach to the upcoming municipal elections.
Addressing criticisms and the potential impact of her candidacy on other opposition figures, Beştaş affirmed, “Our vote belongs to us”. She explained their decision to run as a party in the elections by emphasising the importance of representing their identity and principles in politics directly.
She noted that the DEM Party, being the third largest party in the parliament and having managed municipalities despite the practice of government-appointed trustees, views participation in elections under its own banner as a legitimate and necessary step. The trustee practice in Turkey has involved the government appointing its own officials, known as kayyums, to replace elected municipalities, mainly in Kurdish-majority areas, significantly affecting Kurdish political rights.
The party’s approach to the 31 March local elections marks a departure from the 2019 election strategy, which was specific to that election’s circumstances, according to Beştaş. “Today, we have decided to enter the election as a party. That is the main point,” she stated.
With an eye towards the future, Beştaş articulated a vision of a democratic Turkey where the diverse identities of its citizens are recognised and celebrated. She invited everyone to join the Newroz celebrations on 17 March in Istanbul, symbolising a commitment to peace and unity in the face of adversity.
