Kurdish Politicians Renew Support for Kilicdaroglu in Turkish Run-off

Election posters of Turkish presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, in Istanbul, 25 May 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/ERDEM SAHIN

"If there is no change at the ballot box, it will be a disaster in the economy and democracy," Demirtas wrote on Twitter on Friday.

Demirtas also urged Kurdish voters to go to the polls, as observers fear a low turn-out among Kurdish electors due to Kilicdaroglu's new nationalist and anti-migrant focus, as well as his recent cooperation with the ultra-nationalist Victory Party, VP.

"Let's make Kilicdaroglu President, let Turkey breathe. Go to the polls!" Demirtas added.

Demirtas has been in prison for more than six years due to alleged terrorism ties and has not been released despite various rulings from the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR.

The HDP on Thursday renewed its support for Kilicdaroglu.

"We will all go to the ballot boxes and in unison will change the one-man regime. Our power and millions' desire for change is our biggest source of inspiration." HDP co-chair Pervin Buldan said on Thursday after a two-day meeting on her party's position concerning Kilicdaroglu's new stance.

Despite offering support, Buldan condemned the protocol agreed between Kilicdaroglu and the VP leader, Umit Ozdag.

"Those placing collateral on Kurds' political will via trustees are again those who are placing collateral on the rights and freedoms of the whole Turkish people. The deadlock of the Kurdish problem is not for the benefit of society," Buldan said.

One of controversial articles in the protocol agreed on an active fight against terrorist organisations and on the appointment of trustee mayors if local administrators' "ties with terrorism"...