What Do People in Diyarbakır and Şırnak Think about Re-election ?

Before the November 1 General elections, bianet went to Diyarbakır province in southeastern Turkey with a group of journalists. The re-election isn’t not on the agenda, Diyarbakır’s agenda is bitter.

Firstly, we went to Sur district of Diyarbakır. It was blockaded by policemen.

The name of Helin Şen was being talked about. A person said “They killed someone while feeding pigeons.”

Many angry, many sad faces expressing:”Killer ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), Collaborator AKP (Justice and Development Party)!

There were no campaign jingles nor colors of political parties’ flags.

There were sorrow and mourning.

HDP, AKP and CHP candidates tell

We talked to candidates from  AKP, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

Our first destination was to deputy Naci Sapan from CHP. Sapan is also a journalist and he aims to increase the votes of CHP in Diyarbakır.

Secondly, we visited deputy Mehmet Galip Ensarioğlu from AKP and Ensarioğlu also aims to double up the votes of his party.

We finally talked to deputy İdris Baluken from HDP. Baluken stated the resolution process wouldn’t have continued if AKP had had 400 deputies in the parliament and the conflict environment would deepen.

Main headings from the three political parties:

Sapan:

Voters cast their votes for AKP since there was a promise for resolution process. However, resolution process paused and it created a bad perception. I think it will run on and decrease AKP’s votes.

Baluken:

Public opinion studies show that AKP and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s power-hungry attitude are responsible for the recent funerals, crimes against humanity and massacres. People are worried about political and economic instability and their life safeties. All of these will decrease AKP’s votes on November 1.

HDP guarantees the unity of peoples and the land of Turkey. If HDP cannot enter the parliament, there will be no hope for democracy. Turkey lives through emotional breakdowns. People are bombed and die on the streets. Everyone should embrace and protect HDP.

Ensarioğlu:

People had supported HDP, but HDP started the clashes when they entered the parliament. Citizens complained “We are punished since we voted for them.”

Actually, people didn’t turn their backs on AKP. AKP will come to power again with the majority of the votes.

Resolution process

Sapan:

People are sick and tired of this war.

AKP and the presidential palace are blameful. They do anything to obtain 400 deputies. They legalize their crimes under the name of fighting against terrorism.

Baluken:

Erdoğan destroyed coalition and resolution process. He is responsible for all of them. AKP and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu just follow his orders.

What do Şırnak people think?

Bianet also visited Şırnak province in southeastern Turkey. People are accusing the state of creating a clash environment and are hopeless about peace and resolution process.  They are still traumatized now that their apartments were bombed, opened fire and their friends and relatives died. Erdoğan is the greatest obstacle in front of the resolution process according to them.

People generally say the state is trying to actualize massacres in the region. They tell they were out of electricity and water and they had to eat their rotten foods since they couldn't go out due to the curfew.

Citizens think Erdoğan cannot solve the problems in Turkey and with neighbor countries.

Cizre people agree that Turkey will breathe a sigh of relief when CHP and HDP create a coalition and the peace process will continue. (EA/BD)

* This tour was coordinated by P24.

 Click here to read the article in Turkish