Today, our Co-Chairs, party officials, and representatives from other political parties and NGOs came together with the people in Van to stand against the judicial coup.
The elected Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor, Mr. Abdullah Zeydan was denied office and replaced by the AKP candidate in a judicial coup. In response, today, our Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, along with members of the Central Executive Board (MYK), our MPs, convened for an extraordinary meeting in Van. The CHP, TİP, EMEP, and many other political parties and NGOs also sent delegations to Van. Despite all obstacles, the delegation moved to the designated area for the statement. Here, amidst all sorts of attacks, our delegation joined thousands of people who had gathered and made their statement. Our Co-Chairs addressed the crowd as follows:
Delegations from the CHP, TİP, EMEP, and many other political parties and NGOs also came to Van. Despite all obstacles, the delegation moved to the designated area for the statement. Here, amidst all sorts of attacks, our delegation joined thousands of people who had gathered and made their statement. Our Co-Chairs addressed the crowd as follows:
Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan:
"Those who appointed trustees to our will for the last two terms are now trying to usurp the will of the people of Van once again, through a plot, a political coup, a judicial coup. We will not allow this. We will protect all 14 of our municipalities in Van. I call on Turkey’s Supreme Election Council (YSK): Do not become complicit in this political coup; the eyes of the people of Van are on the fair and just decision you will make. Do not be an instrument of this political coup. You yourselves approved Abdullah Zeydan’s candidacy. Now stand behind your decision. Please do not remain under the pressure of a government that has already faced a harsh response from the people of Turkey in this election. The fair and just decision is what the people of Van are waiting for from you. I hope and wish you will not ignore the will of the Van people."
Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları:
"This morning, our lawyers and party officials conducted extensive work and filed an appeal to the YSK. We will continue our democratic struggle with our people until this appeal is accepted. Our struggle will continue until Abdullah Zeydan receives his mandate. We held our Central Executive Board meeting here in Van today. And the majority of our party executives and MPs will stay in Van until this decision is finalized positively. The hearts of people with diverse political views, from the left to the right of politics in Turkey, are beating for Van right now. Solidarity voices are rising for Van throughout Turkey and Europe. All bar associations in Turkey are saying that this decision is unjust and illegal. We thank all democratic forces, alliance forces, and the 85 million citizens of Turkey who have supported us. We call on the YSK: The most important duty of the YSK is to protect and uphold the right to vote and stand for election of all citizens. We expect the YSK to protect the rights of the people of Van and Abdullah Zeydan."
3 April 2024