‘Kurdish problem to be solved in parliament,’ CHP presidential candidate says

DİYARBAKIR

Turkey’s Kurdish problem should be solved in the Turkish Parliament, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) presidential candidate Muharrem İnce said on June 11.

Speaking at a packed rally in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır ahead of the June 24 elections, İnce vowed to “end the fight between brothers” if elected.

“I have not come here to fool you. Turkey has very serious problems,” İnce warned, citing the huge current account deficit and youth unemployment as leading concerns.

To solve these issues, İnce said he offers three “b’s”—barış (peace), büyüme (economic growth) and bölüşümde adalet (fair distribution of income).

The CHP presidential candidate then delved into the Kurdish issue, vowing to solve it “openly.”

“Let’s name it. Kurds want to be honored and Turks have concerns. We will ease the Turks’ worries and honor the Kurds. No lies, no secret meetings. The place of the solution is the Turkish Grand National Assembly,” İnce said.

He claimed that while he uses the same rhetoric in every corner of Turkey, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan “only wants votes and speaks differently in different cities.”

As the crowd chanted “tamam” (enough [of Erdoğan]), İnce concluded his speech, noting that he would be “leaving Diyarbakır joyful” after his visit.