HDP co-chair signals coalition with CHP

HAMBURG – Doğan News Agency

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Turkey’s Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş gave signs of a potential coalition with Republican People’s Party (CHP) at a speech during his visit to Germany.

“The CHP, HDP and forces, communities siding with peace, freedom and democracy, should be able to offer a democratic alternative power to Turkey’s society,” said Demirtaş in the Hamburg province of Germany on Sep. 27.

“There have been smear campaigns launched against our party during election terms. These efforts of disinformation would affect the positions following an accurate election as well. For instance, pro-governmental media has been carrying out a smear campaign recently, claiming I have given instructions for certain acts of the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK. On the contrary, we have been a political party making a great effort to stop the war and clashes, which public opinion also recognizes,” Demirtaş added.

According to Demirtaş, “either the AKP should change itself or Turkey will have to get rid of the AKP” to resolve problems. In this regard, the statement of Demirtaş urged an alternative and democratic authority, involving the cooperation of the CHP and HDP.

‘European votes are valuable’

While saying the HDP gave great importance to overseas votes, Demirtaş added that in this electoral term, a single vote or a minor change in the number of MPs could change the balances of the parliament’s arithmetic.

Because of the significant number of electors of Turkish origin in Germany, the party has been carrying out an electoral campaign, with Germany in focus, said Demirtaş.

He also referred to Germany’s role regarding the refugee crisis in Europe, a global issue also influenced by the atmosphere of conflict and instability in Turkey.

“International communities should make further efforts for stability in Turkey,” Demirtaş said, adding that Germany could contribute to assuring peace in the country and resolving the Kurdish problem.

“Turkey needs encouraging and motivational support for the Kurdish problem and Germany could actively play a role,” said Demirtaş.