Skip to main content

Turkey’s HDP will not cede political ground

Despite pressure from both the government and its own base, Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party has decided against withdrawing from the parliament and local administrations in protest over its treatment.
RTS2EO9N.jpg
Read in 

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — The Indian summer sun that brightens Diyarbakir in November belies the gloom of a coterie of men conversing by the ancient walls of the city, the heart of Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast. Their topic, reverberating from the Kurdish street to political halls in Ankara, is a tough one: Should the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) withdraw from parliament and local administrations in protest of Ankara’s ongoing dismissals of Kurdish mayors

“We live in a country where the will of the Kurds is disregarded,” one of the men said, arguing that it “makes no sense” for HDP lawmakers to stay in parliament. “I think they should withdraw. Enough is enough. How long could this possibly go on? They should withdraw and go home. Let’s see what happens afterward,” the man grumbled. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.