“Our perspective for the new period is clear; we will organise and expand,” declared Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, at a crucial Party Council meeting on Saturday.
The session, convened to review recent election results and chart the path forward, highlighted a strategic shift towards bolstering party influence and governance after the 31 March local elections, which Bakırhan described as a watershed moment for diverse community groups including workers, youth, women and Kurds.
Bakırhan praised the Kurdish community’s robust defence of their autonomy during these elections, successfully overturning imposed trusteeships and casting a strong vote of confidence in their party. “This has been a substantial victory against exploitation and destruction in our regions,” he stated. Further elaborating on the election’s implications, Bakırhan highlighted the increased representation of underprivileged groups under the DEM Party’s leadership in Western regions as well, marking it as a meaningful shift towards inclusive governance.
The party has now set a clear trajectory for the future, aiming to address past election fraud and the usurpation of will in critical cities like Kars (Qers), Şırnak (Şirnex) and Bitlis (Bedlis). Bakırhan called for the recognition of the will of Kurdish people, which was emphatically voiced against policies of denial and oppression. He underscored the necessity of a democratic constitution to resolve national issues and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to enhancing democracy, equity and justice across Turkey.
Earlier this week, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), a Kurdish umbrella organisation, urged the Turkish opposition to spearhead democratic reforms following the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) electoral defeat.
In his concluding remarks, Bakırhan reiterated the party’s commitment to transforming municipalities into entities focused on public service. “Real governance occurs on the streets, not confined within municipal buildings,” he asserted, outlining plans to continue advocating for peace, democracy and freedom, and to restore and enhance areas previously damaged by mismanagement.
