Selahattin Demirtaş Announces His Roadmap

People’s Democratic Party Co-Chair and presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş announced his roadmap regarding the presidential elections. 

20 signatures and women candidates 

Prior to his speech entitled “A call to a new life”, Selahattin Demirtaş delivered messages regarding the lack of transparency and non-existence of women candidates - factors that he reminded to be missing even though people would directly elect the president for the first time in Turkey’s history. 

Generally, Demirtaş held a humorous tone during his speech, making jokes to the press such as “Journalists can ask whatever they want. We are not going to rebuke anyone [referring to PM’s previous reactions to press members]. In addition to that, he became the first presidential candidate in the history to ever mention about LBGTI people. 

Responding to a press inquiry on “how much vote he would receive”, Demirtaş said: “I am a modest candidate. %50 percent and 1 more is more than enough.” 

Parallel structure?

Responding to a reporter’s question from Akit newspaper, on Gülen Movement and KCK releases, Demirtaş continued:  

“Turkey’s ‘deep state’ phenomenon always existed in a way in the form of a parallel structure. However, it is absurd that AKP is calling this ‘parallel structure’. No intersecting lines in the universe are called parallel. Let us define that. Whoever is acting within the limits of jurisdiction, from Gülen Movement or [AK] party member, must account for their actions. You can’t blame somebody for sympathizing for a group.” 

 2^nd round of elections?

Responding to BirGün newspaper reporter’s inquiry “If you can’t advance to the second round, it will mean that supporting the remaining candidates categorically will be the same. On one hand, there is a candidate with new discourses, on the other hand, there is a candidate with 12 years of ruling and controversial record like Gezi, Roboski and Soma”, Demirtaş said the following:

“Those who vote for us vote for our principals. These two candidates are not in a position to defend these principals. I find it wrong to support whatever opinion is against Erdoğan. There is no principal behind that. We became a candidate because we don’t want something like Erdoğan.” 

Flag?

Later on, Akit reporter asked the following question: “There are no [Turkish] flags in this room. If you become the president, are you going to pose with the flag?”  

“Flag politics is very cheap politics. Even if I become the president or not, I would like to defend the honor of Turkish flag that will represent all the people. I would struggle to correct misunderstandings about that flag,” Demirtaş responded. 

"New life document"

Following Demirtaş’s remarks, the lecture hall burst into applause. 

Some of the highlights from Presidential candidate Selahattin Demirtaş “New life document” are as follows: 

* There will be different assemblies for women, youth, people with disabilities, people from different religious backgrounds, identities, cultures, classes to explain themselves. 

* The resolution of kurdish problem and the democratization of Turkey will go hand in hand. 

* Turkey needs a new constitution that recognized different ethnicities and beliefs, as well as non-sexist, ecological, egalitarian, social and libertarian in character.  

* Turkey’s institution for religious affairs [Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı] must be removed. Cemevis and other sacred places must have a legal status. 

* It is in our principal to protect the rights of all animals. 

* All mandatory classes related to religion must be removed in a secular state. Individuals must be able to learn about religion according their needs and willingness. 

* Turkey’s education system must be founded on the basis of multilingualism. Higher Board of Education (YÖK) must be removed and the academic and administrational freedoms of universities must be broadened.

* In the “New Life”, all sexual identities will have an equal representation and will not face and discrimination. 

* Turkey must go through a substantial reform in its foreign policy. After the ignoring military tutelage, we have transitioned into a new era conceived by Ottomanist dreams and the consequences of ambition to become a regional superpower. 

* Workplace murders must be inspected, child labor must be prevented, the conditions of seasonal workers must be reconsidered. We are planning a presidentship that will involve in the matters directly and follow up on the right struggles of all workers including those with no insurance. (NV/BM)