We want elections in Turkey 'as soon as possible': HDP leader

Pervin Buldan, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), told Rudaw English* late Saturday that the party wants elections to be held in Turkey in the nearest future, claiming that the current government “has no legitimacy.” 

“We have confidence in ourselves and we have changed the political balance in Turkey, and if an election is held we will change the political balance again. Therefore, we want elections to be held as soon as possible because this government has no legitimacy,” Buldan told Rudaw English via WhatsApp. 

The HDP won nearly 100 municipalities out of 1,351 in the previous local elections in March 2019. The next elections are expected to be held in March 2023. 

The party is not alone in their call for a snap election. Turkey’s main opposition party has also called for elections. 

“The AKP is fading away and cannot rescue itself. It wants to stay on its feet through its coups against the will of the people rather than with the support of the people. Therefore, AKP does not want snap elections because it knows the elections will end it,” Buldan told Rudaw English. 

She also shed light on other issues such as indictment to close the party, regular crackdowns on her party, questions of Kurdish unity, and the HDP’s relations with the Kurdistan Region and Western countries. 

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Rudaw English : The Turkish government’s pressure on your party increases every day. How long can this go on for? 

Buldan: These attacks are conducted not only against us or our party. It is true that our party, parliamentarians, politicians, friends and our movement in general are the main targets of these attacks. However, the attacks are mostly against the values that we represent, rather than our people. The aim of these attacks is to annihilate the Kurdish identity and struggle. The attacks are based on opposing the Kurdish people. When they attacked our municipalities by appointing trustees, the first thing they did was attack the Kurdish language. They removed Kurdish billboards. They attacked Kurdish values from Ahmadi Khani to Malay Ciziri [iconic Kurdish writers who lived between 16-18 centuries]. 


I mean, the HDP is attacked because it is now the largest party protecting Kurdish rights and freedoms. In other words, the HDP is being attacked because of the fact that Kurds, via the HDP and through democratic policy, are struggling for their rights and freedom. We were not the first ones to be attacked, and as long as Kurds try to gain their freedom, these attacks will continue in various ways. Even before the HDP existed, Kurdish parties were always attacked, our politicians were killed in the streets, and 17,000 people were killed in violence by perpetrators still unnamed - though for us they are known. 


If another party played the role the HDP is playing now, it would come under attack as well. There are several examples of this. The Turkish authorities threatened the people of Bashur [the Kurdistan Region in Iraq] when Bashur held an independence referendum, and in the case of Kirkuk. The HDP is not present in Rojava [northeast Syria], but Turkey still attacks it. We evaluate the attacks against our party within this framework.


The HDP struggles for the freedom of Kurdish people in Turkey, in the same way it does for other oppressed groups in society. Many repressed segments of society  are represented in the HDP. We protect the rights of all segments of society because the Kurdish issue is being revealed through different means. We protect the rights, identity, and demands of women and youth of religious groups. I mean all the segments of society who have been termed ‘enemies’ by the regime have gathered within the HDP. We know that it is because of this characteristic of the HDP that it is attacked. They have clearly stated this in the indictment to close the HDP. It says that if the HDP becomes a ‘convenient and accepted’ party, it will be approved by the regime. Attacks have definitely increased, but we work in the interests of the people and we will continue this struggle with confidence. 


However, today attacks against us have increased. The AKP uses all its power in the government against us and attacks us. Our constant struggle compels the government to do this. The stronger we are, the more attacks come. And when more attacks come, we become stronger. I know very well that no force can frighten or destroy the struggle of our people. 


Throughout Kurdish history, when a political party is shut down, another replaces it. Have you prepared for the possible closure of your party?


As I said, we have experienced many miseries and difficulties in the past, therefore we have a lot of experience regarding these attacks. We have a historic and strong legacy of resistance. Kurdish people have never been and will never be without a solution or alternative. The important thing is what approaches can be used for the struggle. Our objective has always been on how to improve our struggle ... We will take legal and political action against the closure of the HDP. Our basic preparations are to protect the HDP. However, political parties are means or tools for political struggle. The important thing is to continue this struggle. In the absence of the HDP, Kurds will continue their struggle for freedom with even greater strength through another party. For each situation and result, we have alternatives and preparations. 


How is the unity of Kurdish parties in Northern Kurdistan [ southeast Turkey]? What are the positive impacts of your coalition with other Kurdish parties?


Yes, the efforts for creating Kurdish unity in Bakur [southeast Turkey] have been ongoing for a long time. There are definitely many differences between Kurdish political parties due to historical and political factors. However, the important thing is to show our unity against those in power, despite our differences. We have now somehow reached a result in creating this unity. We see the subject of Kurdish unity or the unity of Kurdish policy as a strategic one rather than a temporary one. This subject is a strategic and very important one. All our relations, closeness and fundamentals have been based on this.


We know that Kurdish society consists of various kinds of people and this is somehow a richness for Kurds. When it comes to opposing Kurds, all the political parties of the oppressors come together and put aside their differences. Even the oppressive states come together against Kurds. Why can’t we do this for the sake of our rights and freedom? Why can’t we make sacrifices for our people? We as the HDP are ready to make all sacrifices for the sake of this. But the struggle should be expansive so that our people can prevail. Therefore, we are proud of the Kurdistani alliance. We respect all the actors of this alliance. This unity should grow, become permanent, and include all parts of Kurdistan…


What is the role of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the pressure on your party?


In Turkish history, the MHP was one of the founding parties that represents the old mentality of the Turkish state. The MHP is not only the enemy of the Kurds of Bakur, but all Kurds on earth. Today, this mentality of the MHP is present in many state institutions. I can say that in the last six years, the MHP has returned to the role and mission it had when it founded the state. Therefore, currently there is no difference between the AKP and MHP. The AKP has become the MHP and the MHP has become the AKP. Today, the whole interior and foreign policy [of the government] is based on this fact. From Bashur to Rojava, Libya to Karabakh and Azerbaijan, this fact is clearly evident...


The dominant power in the alliance [between the AKP and MHP] is the MHP. Even previously, the AKP was not the friend of Kurds, but they had liberal behavior and characteristics as well. The AKP, more specifically [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, has fallen under the influence of [MHP leader Devlet] Bahceli since 2015 in order to stay in power forever. It is not clear whether the president is Erdogan or Bahceli. We have to understand well that Erdogan’s attacks against our party are only because of the MHP. The mentality of Erdogan and Bahceli is now similar, therefore our party is attacked. The AKP is a pragmatist party. It has been allies with many parties for years. It even did some dirty work with [Fethullah Gulen’s] Jamaat. We know all this. I repeat that is to be blamed for its behavior and it cannot put the blame of violations and oppression only on the MHP. 


Do you want a snap election? When is the best time?


There is really a bad situation in Turkey. There are many great crises in Turkey. The AKP is the first one to be blamed for these crises because it has been in power for 20 years. The AKP is melting down with the passage of time. AKP and MHP want to prevent this meltdown through these attacks. They want to postpone this destruction of the party through their barbaric acts and attacks. However, this is impossible and it is only a failed strategy of Erdogan. 


The AKP is fading away and cannot rescue itself. It wants to stay on its feet through its coups against the will of the people rather than with the support of the people. Therefore, the AKP does not want snap elections because it knows the elections will end it. 


Everyone, not only us, wants a snap election so that we can hold the AKP accountable for its crimes at the ballot box. The AKP saw this during the March 31, 2019 local elections. Ballots and the HDP have become the government’s biggest fear. We have confidence in ourselves. Because we exist and continue to exist due to the determination of our people, we will rely on them. We do not fear elections as our party continues getting stronger and receives wider representation. 


We have confidence in ourselves and we have changed the political balance in Turkey and if an election is held we will change the political balance again. Therefore, we want elections to be held as soon as possible because this government has no legitimacy. 


How are the HDP’s relations with the Kurdistan Region, especially with the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)?


We have relations with the Kurdistan Region and we want to improve these relations. We want to resolve our issues - issues between Kurds - through dialogue. We have faith in the Kurdistan Region’s politicians and political parties in this regard. We want them to play a more active role for peace in order to protect the rights and freedom of Kurds. We see that Kurdish people want to improve talks between Kurdish parties. 


Kurds do not want to lose their achievements and get destroyed or live under oppression during this century. Within this framework, we want to improve our relations with all Kurdish parties, including the KDP. However, we see that this demand is not being realized as desired. For example, our members in the Kurdistan Region have been under pressure recently. This is wrong and should not continue. We assigned one of our parliamentarians to get information about this. Unfortunately, the reports were true. This is not good for the relations of Kurds during such a historic period. 


How are your relations with the new US administration? 


Our international relations are not bad, but diplomatic relations are based on interests. We call on international actors to refrain from being part of problems, wars, and destruction when it comes to the Kurdish issue and the Middle East. Unfortunately, these international actors play a negative role regarding the poor situation of Kurds. Therefore, we do not have big expectations from these forces. Politics are practiced through power. If the Kurdish people are organized, united, and strong, they can be friends of the international community. No one will support Kurds for no reason. 


The role of the international forces, especially the US, is very important in resolving regional issues, but we have to remedy our injuries ourselves. The stronger relations are between Kurds, the stronger our relations will be with international forces, especially the US. 

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