The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and its allies will not field a candidate in the May 14 presidential election.
It is worth noting that the HDP is the third party in electoral power in the Turkish National Assembly, garnering 10% of the electorate. It is considered to have a regulating role in elections.
It was preceded by a meeting with the opposition candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who had many contacts with the HDP in recent months. Yesterday, he had a meeting with the two members of his presidency, Midat Sanjar and Pervin Buldan. During their conversation he pledged to resolve the “Kurdish issue” if elected.
It is worth noting that the pro-Kurdish party and the small parties of the left considered to be its allies were kept on the sidelines of the opposition coalition, which includes six political factions.
However, the fact that the HDP will not field a candidate in the presidential election is seen as benefiting the opposition candidate and the six allied parties, putting another hurdle in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election prospects.
The statement of Pervin Buldan, co-chair of the HDP and vice-president of the Turkish parliament, is typical. “Turkey needs reconciliation, not conflict,” he said.
Although the party does not publicly support the opposition alliance, analysts point out that it is effectively drawing the line for a tolerance vote.
However, according to yesterday’s poll, Kemal Kilicdaroglu gathers 53.1% and Erdogan 42.3%.
naftemporiki.gr
