Pro-Kurdish parties have emphasised the need to escalate the democratic-revolutionary social struggle in Turkey, stating that the fact that half the population does not consent to the current governance, as demonstrated in the election results, is reason enough to push for change.
Representatives from the opposition Democratic Society Congress (DTK), Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Green Left Party, and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) evaluated the election results, acknowledged falling short of electoral targets, and together devised a new roadmap. The parties stressed in a joint statement that the Kurdish struggle and the broader fight for democracy in the country cannot be reduced to ballot box mathematics.
“We will persistently and resolutely advance our organisational, political, and social roles in this new phase of the struggle,” pledged the party officials, declaring an unwavering commitment to democracy.
The parties highlighted the significant level of support opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu received at polls in regions with a majority Kurdish population, while recognising the on-going challenge of the Turkish government’s campaign against the Kurdish political movement.
“The recent elections on May 14 and 28 provided a clear response to the ongoing suppression policies against the Kurdish people’s aspirations for freedom, particularly in Kurdistan,” the statement read. The parties pledged to back the people’s determined stance against this suppression and committed to the provision of effective and result-oriented solidarity in the coming period.
The parties called for resilience and urged supporters not to succumb to demoralisation nor fall for any attempts to manipulate public perception. They announced an intention to engage in comprehensive evaluations within constituents, institutional structures, and with the wider public, and indicated a continued determination to forge ahead with the struggle for change despite the election not going in their favour.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emerged victorious in Turkey’s presidential election, securing 52.17 percent of the vote against opposition candidate Kılıçdaroğlu’s 47.83 percent.
The opposition bloc’s presidential candidate Kılıçdaroğlu received a particularly high vote rate in Kurdish provinces after the pro-Kurdish parties clubbed together prior to the elections in support of a joint candidate.
