HDP Co-Chairpersons Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ held a press-conference following the HDP’s election victory. The leaders thanked those who supported the collective effort, and declared, “no coalition with the AKP”.
The press conference held at the Cezayir Conference Hall in Istanbul attracted intense interest from both the press and the public. The statements of the chairpersons were frequently interrupted by slogans.
Selahattin Demirbaş said the following:
“Those who support freedom, democracy and peace won this election. Those who consider themselves the sole owners of Turkey lost. This victory is the collective victory of Armenians, Bosnians, Ezidis, Circassians, of all ethnic identities, of workers, of the unemployed, of villagers, shop owners, of all those whose labour is being exploited. This victory is the collective victory of those who want a democratic civilian constitution in this country, of those who stand against the September 12 military coup constitution and the election threshold it imposed. This victory is the victory of those who want peace in the Kurdish Question. And more than all, this victory is the collective victory of women. We stand for everything we said in squares and rallies. The HDP is now truly a party of the whole of Turkey.”
“We won’t disappoint those who trusted us with their votes”
“We won’t disappoint those who trusted us with their votes so that the path of democratic politics in Turkey is cleared. We will work harder to convince those who trusted us with their votes in this election.
The debate in Turkey over a presidential system, a dictatorship, has ended as of this moment.
It wasn’t a top-down mentality, a mentality of conspiracy that made this magnificent victory possible; it was collective intelligence. I extend my thanks to all the components that make up the HDP.
We once again say ‘God rest their souls’ to our friends who lost their lives during our election campaign.”
“We will not form a coalition with the AKP”
“Esteemed Mr. Öcalan has always been supportive of us in our policy of collective life, a civilian solution and a peaceful solution. His role in the solution process is of great significance in this success.
Our campaign was funded not by the state budget, but by voluntary sacrifices. We thank everyone who gave us their financial support.
The HDP’s new goal is coming to power. From now on, the HDP’s sun will prove enough for all 81 provinces, the AKP’s light bulb is no longer necessary.
We will not form a coalition with the AKP. We will keep our promise.”
Figen Yüksekdağ, in her speech, emphasized the increase in the number of women in parliament, and thanked the young people, volunteers and workers who supported their election campaign.
Figen Yüksekdağ said the following:
“This is a very joyful embrace. The peoples of Turkey, torn apart from each other, are now experiencing the joy of embracing each other.
Our greatest gain is the manifestation of the power of good in place of this form of politics that has passed its sell-by-date.
The 10% election threshold was an embarrassment. Those who are today buried now under the antidemocratic debris are those who imposed this threshold, and those who have since defended it. Together, we will clear the wreckage of the current political mentality. We will create Turkey anew, so that a new life can flourish.
Turkey does not want to be forced to the rule of a single man, the junta of a single party. Turkey wants to work together and produce together. The result our party has achieved is a reflection of this awareness.”
40% of our MPs are women
“I respectfully salute all our friends who accompanied us in this success.
The June 7 victory is also a victory for women. I say this with great joy, 40% of our members of parliament are women. We aimed for 50%, nevertheless, this is a great leap for the history of politics in Turkey.
We will continue to stand together, as we have done to this day.”
