Bestas: What sort of an alliance could be formed with a political language circumventing the issues?

In the context of the campaign “We are of HDP, We are Everywhere,” Deputy Co-Chair of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Tuncer Bakirhan, and the Acting Chair of HDP Parliamentary Group, Meral Danis Bestas got together with non-governmental organizations and the representatives of political parties at Sirin Park Hotel. Besides Bakirhan and Bestas, HDP Deputy Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari, Fatma Kurtulan and Kemal Pekoz, HDP Central Executive Committee members and Party Caucus, non-governmental organizations of the city, and the representatives of political parties also attended the meeting.

At the meeting attended by Adana Bar, Adana Chamber of Medicine, the trade-unions of DISK and KESK, the district heads of CHP, and the representatives of many political parties such as EMEP, ESP, SYKP, TIP, Unity in Struggle, Revolutionary Party, came forward with the idea of unified struggle against the single man government of AKP-MHP alliance.

Acting Chair of HDP Parliamentary Group, Meral Danis Bestas, indicating that they took a stand in the last municipal elections, however a similar support would no longer be possible unless they became a part of the decision making process, said “We are not a party of throwing support to those on the right or on the left. If there will be a unity for the upcoming elections, we will, of course, be part of the decision making process.”

“WE ARE DISCUSSING HOW THE BROADEST DEMOCRACY FORCES GET TOGETHER IN TURKEY”

Delivering the opening speech, HDP Adana City Co-Chair, Gulseren Tural said “We are implementing these meetings in order to build the broadest democracy alliance, to seek the solution methods for this unity together.”

Expressing that they all got together to discuss a powerful alliance for democracy, HDP Deputy Co-Chair, Tuncer Bakirhan indicated that they had been up against a government that had not paid attention to the majority of the society, that had not taken any interest to deal with such issues as economy and democracy issues, the issues of those affected by the decree-law (KHK), Kurdish question which had been in the citizens’ daily agenda. Assessing the last municipal elections, Bakirhan said “The last elections demonstrated us that the fascist government was in fact not so powerful. We are discussing which principles we could meet around, how the broadest democracy forces could come together in a unity.”

“WHAT SORT OF AN ALLIANCE COULD BE FORMED WITH A POLITICAL LANGUAGE CIRCUMVENTING THE ISSUES”

Stating that they believe they can put a stop to this unfavourable situation in the country through the unity of democratic institutions, activists and social dynamics, Meral Danis Bestas, explaining that the HDP’s votes are at 12% level despite the oppression of the political government and the embargo of the press, continued as “Today, the police say ‘Remove the HDP flag. It is against the Law of Inland Highways to form a convoy.’ The police has thrown the Constitution into garbage can, and instead it is bringing up the Law of Inland Highways. Even in such circumstances, there is a very large section of people hearing our voice. We are not a party of throwing support to those on the right or on the left. If there will be a unity for the elections, we will, of course, be part of the decision making process. It cannot happen without this willpower. In such cases, the least common denominator is very important. If Kurdish heritage is still not recognized, how are we going to be democratic? If the mother tongue will be rejected, if Kurdish heritage won’t be approved, if the trustee exercise is to continue, how are we going to form an alliance? What sort of an alliance could be formed with a political language that circumvents these issues? We think that common principles can emerge through discussions. What is important to us is not the names of the candidates, but determining under which principles we will get together.”

In their speeches, non-governmental organizations and the representatives of political parties, drawing attention to that the AKP government had been pushed back when democracy forces had united together in various areas, stated that such a unity could be implemented throughout Turkey.

“AGAINST ‘MILLET’ AND ‘CUMHUR’ ALLIANCES, A REVOLUTIONARY DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES’ ALLIANCE OPTION IS REQUIRED”

The Labour Party (EMEP) General Executive Board member Halil Imrek, stating that, against the government striving to establish fascism, there are women, youth movement suceeding in forcing the rector appointment withdrawn in Bogazici, environment movement, workers movement, said “The majority of labor and democracy forces has not allowed it to happen in its entirety, but its process is still on.” Along with it, mentioning that AKP has lost its capability to generate politics in economic front, in internal and external affairs, and that it is up against a dissolution and loss, Imrek further stated “AKP is about to fade away. However, AKP formed a system and what will become of it when it is gone? This aspect should be discussed.” Referring to that Millet Alliance, which has limited its horizon with the ballot box, rendered the masses inactive in their struggle for their rights by preaching them to ‘wait for the elections,’ Imrek continued his statement as “For this reason, it is required to create a third option, outside ‘Millet’ and ‘Cumhur’ alliances, a revolutionary democratic peoples’ alliance option. Mainly, a unity of struggle should be organized around the demands that address the hardship everyone faces in economic, political, and social fronts. These are democratic resolution of Kurdish question, women’s fight for equal rights, demands of youth whose future has been doomed. In August, 3 million public servants’, 2 million retirees’, 700 thousand public workers’, in September, 200 thousand metal workers’ collective agreement negotiations process will take place. In December, there is minimum wage review process that we might call the largest collective agreement negotiation. And of course, ecology, a livable environment. To these, lastly, the refugee question should be added. There is the fascist position taken by Bolu mayor and Umit Ozdag. We should defend the demands of the refugees against xenophobia. By building the unity of the broadest forces of labor, peace, democracy, once  we demonstrate a united fight with a powerful street movement, then CHP can be forced to a reasonable position. If we cannot succeed in this, it is drawn to an IYI Party line. If we can spread the message here throughout Turkey, then there emerges a possibility to get out of this adverse situation.” (EVRENSEL DAILY)