HDP insists on own candidate in presidential elections

Okan Konuralp HÜRRİYET/ANKARA

HDP deputies pose with Hürriyet’s Okan Konuralp (L) and Deniz Zeyrek (3L) during their visit to the newspaper

The Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) is opting to elect their own candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, a party group said during a visit to Hurriyet’s Ankara office on May 21.

The HDP’s candidate will have high democratic values and will serve as an alternative to the ruling and main opposition’s party polarization.

Supporting the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in a possible second round was tied to the specific candidate, the group also said.

“We will have a candidate who will not compromise democracy, human rights and freedoms and who will embrace Turkey,” they said.

The party will cooperate with nongovernmental organizations in picking the candidate and “will show that there is a third way,” alternative to the blocks of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the CHP, they said, claiming the HDP will play a key role in the elections.

An at least 50 percent majority is required for the first round of the presidential elections set for Aug. 10 and if none of the candidates achieve a majority, the top two names will race in the second round on Aug. 24.

The HDP will not take place in an umbrella structure, especially when the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is considered, the group told Hurriyet.  

The HDP will, in any case, nominate its own candidate in the first round and the party is leaning toward picking a female candidate, they said.

Commenting on supporting a CHP candidate in the second round, “It will depend on who the candidate is,” they said.