HDP deputy Tüzel turns down interim gov’t offer

ANKARA

An interim election government will function as an extension of the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AKP), a deputy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has said, justifying his decision to refuse an offer from Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to take part in the pre-election cabinet.

“What is happening in the region is extremely concerning,” HDP Istanbul deputy Levent Tüzel said on Aug. 27, speaking at a press conference hours before the deadline for opposition deputies to respond to offers made by Davutoğlu expired. 

“The AKP government is openly setting a trap against the Kurdish movement, forces that want peace, and the HDP. Today, the government is a long way from even accepting existence of the HDP,” he added.

Tüzel’s refusal came despite earlier statements from HDP executives expressing willingness to take part in an interim government. Tüzel was one of three HDP deputies to receive an offer from Davutoğlu. 

As the former leader of the Labor Party (EMEP), Tüzel is part of the HDP in line with the latter’s self-description as an “umbrella party,” incorporating the Kurdish-problem focused political movement with a number of smaller leftist parties.

Hours before Tüzel’s press conference, the EMEP released a written statement saying any interim government would be “an attack government against freedoms and people … like its predecessors.” The EMEP also said the process concerning an interim government was being conducted anti-democratically and was manipulated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.