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* Photograph: Gönül Soyoğul-bianet
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Making a statement regarding the local elections, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İzmir Provincial Co-Chair Kadir Baydur has announced that they will support Tunç Soyer, who is the candidate of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) for the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality.
Speaking to the Voice of America, Baydur has stated that they have not yet reached a decision regarding the district municipalities of İzmir.
HDP İzmir Provincial Co-Chair has stated the following about the issue:
"A candidate accepted by labor and democracy forces"
"We can say it with ease that Tunç Soyer is the candidate who fits the profile that we have drawn the best. Soyer is not only accepted by us, but he is also jointly accepted by the labor and democracy forces of İzmir.
"By organizing people's meetings, by paying visits to people in the neighborhoods and districts, we will explain to them why we are supporting Tunç Soyer. We will carry our voter base to the ballot box in this way.
"We have been in touch with the İzmir Provincial Organization of the CHP. Because we want the people of İzmir to govern the city where they live. For that reason, we want that people from all layers and parts of the society have a say in the local administration."
Stating that they have also got in touch with the Felicity Party (SP), Baydur has emphasized that they are ready to meet with representatives from all political parties except for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
No candidates by HDP for İstanbul, İzmir and Adana
HDP Co-Spokesperson Saruhan Oluç held a press conference on January 28 and announced that the party would not nominate candidates for the metropolitan municipalities of İstanbul, İzmir and Adana.
Stating that no metropolitan mayor candidates would be nominated in these three provinces under the party logo of the HDP, Oluç also added that they would continue working for these provinces so that the candidates nominated by democracy forces could receive votes.
Regarding the remaining metropolitan and provincial municipalities, Oluç said that they would make a statement about them when they finalized their works concerning these municipalities. (EKN/SD)
