President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has consolidated his power after declaring himself the winner in the elections held over the weekend.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which includes the Yeşil Sol Parti, the Turkish Green Left, received over 11 percent, exceeding the 10 percent threshold needed to enter parliament.
In response to the result, European Green Party co-chairs Monica Frassoni and Reinhard Bütikofer said:
“Change has once again been stifled in Turkey’s elections following the massive repression and imprisonment of dissenting voices since the state of emergency was declared in 2016 following an attempted coup.
“Turkey’s future as a modern democracy and power-broker would depend on its capacity to be a true reflection of the will of the people. The tens of thousands of people currently languishing behind bars show this is sadly not the case.
“As reported by Reporters Without Borders, Turkey is in the shameful position of being ‘the world’s biggest prison for journalists.’
“As a defender of the value of plurality, the EU must do more to put pressure on the Turkish authorities to release its political opponents held on bogus charges. It must also use its leverage to bring back the rule of law and encourage the separation of powers that are being sorely imperiled.
“Sultan Erdoğan won this round. But the fight for Turkish democracy will continue. We have been encouraged by the audacity of the opposition to mobilise and win significant support and we’ll continue to back civil society and its commitment to democracy and democratic institutions.
“As part of the HDP coalition, Yeşil Sol Parti, the Turkish Green Left, member of EGP, has helped to give democratic opposition forces a voice in the next Turkish Parliament. This voice will be dearly needed.”
