Thousands of jubilant Kurds celebrate election showing as the pro-Kurdish HDP wins parliamentary seats for the first time in Turkey
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Kurdish communities across Turkey celebrated long and hard after the surprise showing by the People’s Democratic Party.
With the HDP crossing the 10% threshold and securing seats for the first time, it has given Turkey’s Kurdish minority a significant voice on the national stage.
HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas criticised President Erdogan in his victory speech. Erdogan had repeatedly lashed out at the HDP in the run-up to the elections.
“Despite the campaign and the attacks against us carried out by a political party, the ruling party which had all the resources of state, we achieved an amazing victory, a terrific success as the oppressed , underprivileged people and workers of Turkey who are always in favour of justice, peace and freedom.”
In the city of Diyarbakir which the Kurds regard as their unofficial capital, thousands flooded onto the streets setting off fireworks and waving flags in celebration.
The HDP is projected to get between 75 to 80 seats however its leader Demirtas has already ruled out forming a coalition with the AK Party.
On social media there was international reaction to the HDP’s showing.
Congratulations to the Kurds of Turkey. This victory is long overdue!
— Stephen Mansfield (@MansfieldWrites) 7 Juin 2015
Whether it was tactical or not, that a number of Turks voted for a Kurdish Party is a remarkable moment in Turkey. http://t.co/3eVtzdiLPV
— Arash Karami (@thekarami) 7 Juin 2015