“We have not been defeated, and because of that, there is no reason for anyone to lose hope. Let us never surrender. Let us keep fighting,” said Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), offering his initial assessment on the results of Turkey’s presidential run-offs on Sunday.
Demirtaş described the elections as resembling an operation by the incumbent government rather than a fair electoral process, in a series of Tweets posted on his Twitter account on Sunday night that pointed out the uneven playing field and disparities in the election proceedings.
“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in the voting process, including those who were unable to do so but wished to, as well as those who worked tirelessly to safeguard their votes,” said Demirtaş. He described the achievement of the current voter turnout as nothing short of a miracle, considering the principled and ethical election work conducted against the formidable force that has control of the state apparatus.
According to Demirtaş, the electoral process was a government operation characterised by significant inequalities, pressures, unfathomable lies, slander, and defamation. Despite these challenges and even though the entire process was manipulated, Demirtaş emphasised, the people had unequivocally supported the need for change throughout.
Regarding the outcome, Demirtaş concluded with a strong call for perseverance and resilience. “We have not been defeated, and because of that, there is no reason for anyone to lose hope,” he said, adding, “Let us never surrender. Let us keep fighting, keep fighting, keep fighting…”
