Let’s build a front for common resistance: HDP co-chair Demirtaş

ATHENS

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Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has issued a call for joint resistance against fascism during a speech on Oct. 13 at the opening of the congress of Syriza, the main partner in Greece’s government, in Athens.

He said Greece, Turkey and other regional countries were experiencing a difficult period, noting that they paid big prices. 

“We are fighting to hold together our countries against the globalization of blind violence, hate speech and the politics of exploitation. Leftist and socialist fractions that live all over the world, are responsible for the cooperation in this fight,” said Demirtaş.

Demirtaş also added that the European Union had failed its exam on the refugee crisis, noting that the rise of the far right in Europe had helped weaken the response to the issue.

“You should know that we are with Syriza and their fight for welfare and social justice. We promise to increase our efforts for cooperation and fight beside the Greek people shoulder to shoulder on the rough path of social justice, freedom and sustainable stability,” he said. 

The congress had opened with a speech by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras during which he noted efforts to resolve the country’s economic crisis and the future of Syriza.