Turkey’s pro-Kurdish HDP opts against withdrawing from parliament over removed mayors but calls for early election

By bne IntelliNews November 20, 2019

Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition party on November 20 called for an early election but said it had opted against a plan to withdraw its MPs from parliament to protest against the government's dismissal of dozens of its mayors who were elected earlier this year.

Authorities have removed 24 mayors of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) since August, replacing them with government appointees. They took the action after claiming links to terrorism that threatened national security.

Several HDP members urged the party to withdraw from the parliament or from local assemblies which the party still controls.

The HDP said in a statement that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ultra-nationalist ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), were "stealing the will of the peoples" by appointing trustees in place of the mayors.

"We say 'early election' for the peoples of Turkey to be rid of the AKP-MHP authority. This is a call for confrontation. We're saying bring it on," the party said.

Read in IntelliNews Pro

Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

Turkish coach and light truck maker Temsa reportedly in debt repayment difficulties with banks

Turkish coach, bus and light truck maker Temsa is having problems repaying its loan debts to the banks, Dunya business daily has reported. Company officials declined to comment. The newspaper ... more

Greece expels Libyan ambassador in row over maritime boundaries deal with Turkey that ignores Crete

Greece said on December 6 it was expelling the Libyan ambassador as an expression of its anger over an ... more

Turkey colludes with Islamic State proxies says Macron as spat over block on Nato’s Baltic, Poland defence plans escalates

French President Emmanuel Macron on December 3 accused Turkey of colluding with Islamic State proxies on the opening day of Nato’s London summit at which officials were discussing how to deal ... more

Dismiss