Turkey’s Kurdish party sees election as 'turning point'

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s general election will be “a turning point” according to a senior pro-Kurdish opposition figure speaking ahead of a planned major Istanbul rally.

Pervin Buldan, a high-ranking official from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) said on Monday that next Saturday’s rally would be a high-point of the party’s election campaign.

“The election is going to be a milestone for Turkey. All people, particularly oppressed ones, will determine their destiny on June 7,” Buldan told reporters.

Next Saturday’s rally would be “the peak” of the HDP election campaign said Cesim Soylu, co-chair of the party’s Istanbul Branch.

“We expect an enthusiastic rally there,” he added.

Officials said HDP co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas will attend the rally and address the crowd. Buldan said the party wants to see “millions” at Kazlicesme Square, in one of Istanbul’s western neighborhoods.

The party will hold its last election rally in the southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Hakkari on June 5.

HDP hopefuls are running as a party for the first time and must win at least 10 percent of the national vote to enter parliament.

Previously, independent lawmakers have joined the party after being elected to give it a voice in Turkey’s parliament.

The election will see 550 deputies elected. Voting has already begun among Turkish citizens abroad, with around 70,000 having already cast their ballots.