Buldan: Our people know which candidate is the most democratic

Turkey's pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party has moved a step closer to openly supporting the opposition's joint presidential candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, a day after the party's leadership said it would not field a candidate in the May 14 elections.

“Our people know which one is the most democratic among the candidates, and they will vote accordingly,” HDP’s Co-Chair Pervin Buldan said while talking to journalists on Thursday adding that they will announce the name of that candidate in a few days.

She said that her party takes a stance for the establishment of a more democratic and freedom-oriented mentality in Turkey and emphasized that they will support the candidate who is most suitable for this purpose and will announce their decision in the coming days.

She added that they want democracy, freedom, justice, and the rule of law to prevail in Turkey.

With opinion polls showing support for the HDP running at more than 10%, it could play a key role in a vote that will decide who leads Turkey.

The HDP, parliament's third-biggest party, wants the opposition to back demands for Kurdish rights and other issues. The Kurdish party held talks with Kilicdaroglu on Monday and said the meeting created a positive atmosphere.

In 2019, the HDP cooperated with the opposition to defeat the ruling AKP's mayoral candidates in major cities.