“HDP is nobody’s whipping boy”

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey reiterated its independent position and made clear it had no obligation to support any of the fronts ahead of a critical presidential election.

Buldan said HDP was nobody’s whipping boy, and not a follower of any ‘table’, referring to the Nation Alliance formed by six opposition parties, also known as “Table of Six.” against the ruling People’s alliance, made up of President Erdogan’s AKP (Justice and Development Party) and National Movement Party (MHP.)

“With our alliances, our components, our own autonomy, with the support and demand of our people, we will nominate our own candidate and we will work with great mobilization to ensure that our candidate gets to the second round,” she said.

She added: “We all know that there are two axis. The People's Alliance on one side and the Nation Alliance on the other. However, the peoples of Turkey are not obliged to these two sides.”

Denouncing the debate over why the Kurds pursue a third way, Buldan praised the Labor and Freedom Alliance that the HDP supported.

She concluded:

“The match has just started. The Labor and Freedom Alliance will come out of these elections most successfully, with self-confidence, confidence in its people and self-determination against the other two alliances.”