Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fears that if enough Kurds show up at the polls for Turkey’s elections on Sunday, they could tip the election in favour of the opposition, EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) Chairwoman Kariane Westrheim told Erem Kansoy from Medya Haber TV.
“Why would he suddenly, ahead of elections, start following the democratic rules of the game when he has not done so throughout his reign?” Westrheim asked. “Therefore, it is more important for the Kurds to stand up and vote for the opposition, the Green Left Party.”
“It is decisive for the future that the Green Left and the HDP succeed in the elections,” she said, adding that only a Green Left victory could “finally get rid of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Erdoğan”.
The Turkish president has brought “chaos and suffering” to Kurds in Turkey, Iraq and Syria, said Westrheim.
“Nothing can get worse than it is now, and it is the Kurds who can make the big difference,” she continued. But regardless of what happens in the elections, we will forever continue to support the Kurds in their just political struggle.”
Polls suggest that the 14 May elections could end Erdoğan’s two decades of rule in the country, with pro-Kurdish and left-wing forces backing joint opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
