Ayhan Bilgen, two-term legislator and former spokesman for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), alleged via his Twitter account on Wednesday that the Green Left Party may be considered as a continuation of the HDP, and therefore could potentially be banned from participating in the 14 May elections under Article 96 of the Political Parties Act.
Bilgen, who is the founder of Turkey’s Voice Golden Age Party (SES Party) and has been vocal in his criticism of the HDP’s leadership, took to Twitter to express his thoughts about the potential ban of the Green Left Party from the upcoming elections. “There is a risk that the Green Left Party will not be allowed to participate in the elections as it can be considered the continuation of the HDP under Article 96 of the Political Parties Act,” Bilgen wrote.
Bilgen’s comments were viewed by some as more of a veiled message to the YSK than sincere concerns about the Kurdish votes, as he has previously been accused of working in collusion with the Turkish government.
The HDP, which is currently facing closure proceedings, has decided to participate in the upcoming elections under the umbrella of the Green Left Party to avoid any potential risks of closure. However, Bilgen’s comments have raised concerns about the potential scenarios the Erdoğan-led Turkish government can use in the 14 May elections to undermine the Kurdish votes which the polls show to be in support of his main rival, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
