The HDP urged for a "pluralistic, democratic system’’ to replaces the country’s current "authoritarian rule that allows one man to accumulate all the power and have the final say,’’ in its new “Call for Justice, Democracy and Peace” policy document.
Turkey’s executive presidential system was ushered in with the June 2018 elections. The system has come under criticism for effectively eliminating the prime minister's post while transferring executive powers to the president, who rules with only limited checks and balances.
Last week, six opposition parties including the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and centre-right Good Party (IYIP), called for a return to Turkey’s parliamentary system, Cumhuriyet newspaper reported.
The HDP is determined to expand the groundwork for common political struggle while standing tall in the face adversity, Cumhuriyet newspaper cited the party’s co-chairwoman Pervin Buldan as saying during the release of the party’s policy document.
"Outside of this, we would to openly stress that we are not in search of partaking in any kind of alliance,’’ the HDP chairwoman added.
Buldan’s remarks arrive as Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has signalled possible cooperation with the HDP, highlighting the party’s role as a leading addressee in Turkey’s decades-old Kurdish problem.
The CHP leader last week said that the HDP should be recognised as a ‘’legitimate organ’’ in Turkey’s Kurdish problem, sparking a political debate on the Kurdish issue.
Turkey’s second-largest opposition party, the HDP is accused of being a centre of activity for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an armed group that has been partner to an internal conflict with the Turkish state since the 1980s. Some 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have been killed in in the conflict.
Kilicdaroglu on Sunday also told Cumhuriyet newspaper that the Nation Alliance, a coalition of parties rivalling the ruling People’s Alliance, could see new parties ahead of the 2023 elections.
Buldan on Monday said the HDP, which is currently facing a closure of alleged terror links, was ready to address the Kurdish issue.
"Parliament should lead the way in establishing groundwork for a solution by way of democratic negotiation to win the future for the whole of society,’’ Buldan said.
The HDP in its latest document also urges an independent and impartial judiciary, respect for the will of the people of Turkey, a peaceful foreign policy, among others.
Another opposition party, the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), on Monday said it welcomed HDP’s new policy document, Arti Gercek news site reported.
"It has made us very happy that the HDP holds the desire to propose solutions within democratic politics,’’ it cited DEVA spokesman Idris Sahin as saying
DEVA has also been an outspoken critic of Turkey’s presidential system.
Whether or not they wish to take part in any alliance is entirely the choice of the HDP, Sahin added, noting that they respected the pro-Kurdish party’s stance on this matter.
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