REPORT

Turkey: HDP mobilises supporters ahead of elections on Nowruz

Audio 01:20

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish HDP party celebrate Nowruz in Istanbul, March 19, 2023. AP - Francisco Seco

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

In Turkey, the main party of the pro-Kurdish left, the HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party), organized this Sunday, March 19 in Istanbul a large rally for the holiday of Nowruz which celebrates the arrival of spring. This year's meeting took on an even more political dimension than usual, a few weeks before the elections.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer

The meeting this year took on an even more political dimension than usual, a few weeks before the presidential and legislative elections, in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will try to retain power. HDP supporters, who make up around 10% of the electorate, could be the key to the vote.

In Yenikapi Square, where the green and purple flags of the pro-Kurdish party fly, the halay is danced in puddles. It is the holiday of Nowruz (Nevruz in Turkish) but also a way to mobilize less than two months before the elections. Adem and Muhammed are both 18 years old. "Power will change hands, that's for sure!" says Adem. "And the Kurds will play a decisive role. That's why they want all our voices! " says Muhammed.

HDP could support Kemal Kiliçdaroglu

For the first time in 20 years, President Erdogan will face a rival, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, on May 14, supported by a broad alliance of opposition parties. The HDP does not belong to the alliance, but could call for a vote for it. Like Filiz, a mother, most of her voters have a good opinion of Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, a Social Democrat. "I appreciate his words, his personality, he inspires me confidence. I never voted for Tayyip. Let him go! So that, Inch'Allah, my children may have a bright future! " he says.

Abidin, 48, also expects a lot from this election. "A president must bring us democracy, human rights, justice, economic recovery. Turkey is in ruins, we need a democratic president to rebuild the country. Otherwise, it will be total collapse. In addition to the uncertainty of the election, the uncertainty hangs over the fate of the HDP. The pro-Kurdish party is threatened with banning on charges of links to "terrorism".

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Read on on the same topics:

  • Turkey
  • Kurds
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan