Altan Tan: We May Discuss Presidential System but Never Accept Sultanate

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır deputy Altan Tan answered the questions of Selin Ongun of Cumhuriyet daily.

In response to Selin Ongun asking "You were saying 'we will not let you become president' however now you say 'it is discussable'", Altan Tan said, "Saying discussable doesn't entail we approve of one man system".

"There is nothing new in this 'discussable' part because our statements are obvious in Constitution Commission. We may discuss presidential system, semi presidential system, or parliamentary system. We never accept dictatorship or one man system. That is what we said in the past, and we still defend it.
"... We have to discuss present resolution process and all other issues with the current government and President. We don't have any other chance".

PKK's stance

"Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Patriotic Revolutionist Youth Movement (YDG-H) moving war to city centers and reducing democratic autonomy to self defense and ditches was wrong. People reacted against that as of the first day, yet they insisted in this mistake, and HDP was unfortunately not powerful enough to prevent it.

At the end of the day, HDP doesn't direct PKK. Justice and Development Party (AKP) and state used all kinds of pressure, arrestment, violence, etc. on HDP, and PKK didn't say "I am not in this war game of yours". HDP couldn't convince PKK that all of us desire democratic autonomy but this can be achieved by a democratic struggle that will take time, not by a declaration".

Votes of HDP

One and a half year ago, in local election AKP's vote rate along with Free Cause Party (Hüda-par) was 41 percent in Diyarbakır while ours was 55. AKP's most recent vote is 22, and ours is 72 following November 1 election. It was 14 for AKP after June 7 elections and they celebrate this increase of 8 percents while we are still well ahead in the region.

A portion of religious, conservative voters who preferred AKP gave a message to HDP, "You have prioritized democratic struggle, promised to represent both Kurds and non-Kurds, and I backed that. However, if it will turn into a fight and you won't be able to use initiative enough, then I withdraw my support".

Two thirds of voters who came to HDP from AKP still remain for HDP. That was a warning, a yellow card. If we cannot develop policies in parallel with their demands, then this withdrawal may continue." (HK/TK)

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