Demirtaş: We Have Gained 10 percent Despite a Great Uproar

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairs Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş have made a statement at party head office over November 1 general election results.

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Yüksekdağ and Demirtaş emphasized that election results are not a consequence of an electoral campaign and said, "Remaining above the threshold is victory of those resisting".

While Yüksekdağ has reminded of what happened as of June 7 elections, Demirtaş said, "I wish we had remained beneath the threshold but no one had died".

Yüksekdağ: We've come 3rd despite everything

Yüksekdağ commented, "When we evaluate November 1 [election] results, we cannot make an evaluation detached from the abnormal conditions into which politics of Turkey was dragged over five months.

"It was HDP that conducted the toughest electoral campaign among four parties entered the parliament. Thus, it was an election in which we had to hold in unfair and unequal conditions. HDP had carried out a campaign under duress and political pressure in June 7 as well, and these pressures have climbed prior to November 1.

"If we have to summarize what happened in the past five months;

- 258 civilians lost their lives. 33 of them were children. A considerable part of the killings took place in Kurdish provinces.

- In this period, over 100 citizens lost their lives in Suruç and Ankara.

- Operations were launched against our party buildings and administrators, around 500 of our party members or administrators were arrested.

- 190 of our party buildings faced lynch attacks.

"Our party coming 3rd at the end of the election in this difficult condition is a success of those who walk against this difficulty.

"They wanted to reach a goal, forcing HDP to remain under threshold. AKP almost conducted its entire campaign against us. They carried out this endeavor by means of all state means and institutions.

"It is obvious there is a regression compared to June 7. We will discuss this with all aspects. What falls to our lot is to criticize ourself and we'll do it thoroughly.

"However, in such a difficult rally, this is a success gained by our peoples from pure spite. We thank every one who believe in us and believe in their and core power of our peoples".

Demirtaş: We've lost vote but stood against massacres

Demirtaş said these:

"High participation is pleasing but it was not a free, fair, and equal election. We have gained 10 percent despite a great uproar. HDP didn't conduct any campaign, we just tried to protect our people against massacres.

"There is a great victory of HDP. Yes, maybe we've lost 1 million votes but we are a party that managed to stand against all massacre policies, and fascism.

"Indeed the new-term parliament will start with enormous problems that await to be solved.

"Society of Turkey doesn't meet [the results] in festive air despite 50 percent a party has gained. Everyone is worried about how much the current situation can get worse.
"We will hold a principled stance as to new constitution, a libertarian and civil democratic reform and resolution [process]. We will throw heart and soul into all issues of people as the 3rd party of the parliament.

"In the coming days, we will address whatever hinders our rally and will make HDP stronger for the next election.

"Place of struggle is not parliamentary only but workplaces, farms, squares, everywhere is a place of struggle." (ÇT/TK)

Click here to read the article in Turkish.