Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK) has officially reinstated the mayoral certificate to Abdullah Zeydan of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party in the metropolitan municipality of Van (Wan). This decision reverses an earlier contentious ruling that had initially diverted the certificate to an opposition candidate, igniting widespread appeals for justice and accountability in Van.
The resolution by the YSK to validate Zeydan’s victory, achieved with a commanding 55% of the vote, sparked jubilant celebrations throughout Van. An impressive congregation of tens of thousands rallied outside the DEM Party’s local headquarters, their chants and slogans echoing the city’s longstanding tradition of resistance and democratic struggle.
The celebrations culminated in a significant march to Cumhuriyet Avenue in the city’s heart, where the gathered masses anticipated Zeydan’s address. This gathering, reflective of the city’s vibrant spirit of defiance and communal solidarity, underscored the collective relief and elation felt by Van’s residents.
