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TURKEY’S opposition People’s Democratic Party said next year’s local elections are an “opportunity to work for peace” as it launched its campaign in Sirnak province yesterday.
HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli was speaking at a public meeting when he vowed that the party would take back control of its municipalities, many of which have been taken over by pro-government administrators.
“People's municipalities cannot be turned into police stations. There are 40 years of struggle at stake,” he said.
Calling for unity of democratic forces, he said the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was a party of war, hostility and hatred.
Mr Temelli said: “Let us get rid of the palace regime once and for all. Let’s raise our struggle against fascism. Elections are not the solution for everything, but, in terms of our struggle, elections represent an opportunity to strengthen local democracy.
“We will not only get municipalities but also we will govern ourselves and our city. We will have power, authority and decision.”
But he added that “at the heart of the peace issue is the Kurdish problem,” which is key to the issues facing the Middle East.
Local elections are set for March 2019.
