Turkey’s opposition needs to act quickly to come together and gather around a common program before the government starts to effectively divide the political sphere again, said Selahattin Demirtaş, the jailed former co-chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
“Politicians are now responsible for growing this spirit of solidarity and turning it into a political moment,” Demirtaş told T24 on Monday, pointing to the nationwide solidarity that emerged after the 6 February earthquakes, in response to the great destruction and loss of life in ten provinces.
The prominent politician stated that he believes that a new situation has arisen in the country and called on the opposition parties that have not come together yet to discuss a fresh attitude.
The social polarisation policy that the government has pursued systematically and deliberately for many years has not caused any permanent damage and effect in the hearts of the people, Demirtaş said, adding that this fact is a lesson for all politicians.
The earthquake destroyed not only the houses but also the policies of the government, according to Demirtaş. “Those who still do not understand this, keep taking notes, the people have already turned the page on your notebooks,” he said, referring to a statement made by a senior member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
“Since we are in the disaster region with our citizens, we have not been a part of political discussions. We are at the moment just noting things said against our president and against us,” said Ömer Çelik, the spokesperson of AKP on 15 February.
Demirtaş also touched upon the debates on whether the upcoming general elections will be postponed due to the disaster and argued that the election cannot be postponed.
“Postponing an election means attempting a coup,” he said. “The people will have the right to resist.”
Demirtaş requested his release from prison, for the first time to date, when the great destruction took place on the morning of 6 February.
“Unfortunately, we had to watch the disaster on television from the very first hours. On the morning of 6 February, I applied to the court with a petition and demanded a temporary release. Thousands of prisoners had to watch the pain and anxiety of the disaster in despair.”
