The Turkish Constitutional Court (AYM) will discuss the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) application on 25 January, which demands the adjournment of the closure case against HDP until after the upcoming national elections.
HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar announced on 16 January that the party lodged an application to AYM.
The elections are scheduled for 18 June but are expected to be brought forward to an earlier date. Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Sunday that Turkey would hold elections on 14 May. Thus, the election process is more likely to begin in early March.
In June 2021, AYM accepted an indictment that demands the closure of the HDP and a political ban for almost 500 HDP members.
As part of the ongoing closure case, AYM ruled on 5 January to temporarily block the HDP’s accounts. With this ruling, HDP will not be able to access Treasury funds it was due for 2023.
HDP is the third-largest party in parliament and the second-largest opposition party in the country. A decision to shut down the party ahead of upcoming elections could have a profound affect on Turkey’s political landscape, since Kurdish votes are expected to play a vital role in the elections.