Turkey's Kurdish minority has emerged as a key player in the country's upcoming election, potentially tipping the balance against long-time President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) announced last month that it would not field its own presidential candidate, allowing its supporters to vote for Erdogan's main rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The HDP's decision is seen as a turning point in Turkey's politics, with analysts saying it has the potential to determine the course of the country. The party has been facing persecution under Erdogan's government, with former leader Selahattin Demirtas still behind bars and the party facing possible closure by court for suspected ties to the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Despite this, the HDP remains a powerful force in Turkish politics, and its supporters are seen as crucial to Kilicdaroglu's chances of winning. The Kurdish minority makes up around 15-20% of Turkey's population, and their vote could prove decisive in the election.
Erdogan has long sought to suppress the HDP and limit the influence of Kurdish politicians, but this may ultimately backfire. Analysts say that the HDP's decision not to field a candidate may be seen as a clever move, allowing its supporters to vote for Kilicdaroglu while also keeping the party's influence.
The situation is delicate, with the HDP facing accusations of ties to the PKK and a possible court case that could ban the party. However, experts say that the HDP's decision to avoid fielding a candidate may be beneficial for Kilicdaroglu, allowing him to benefit from the Kurdish vote without being seen as allied with the pro-Kurdish party.
The outcome of the election is far from certain, but one thing is clear: the Kurds will play a crucial role in determining Turkey's future.
The HDP's decision is seen as a turning point in Turkey's politics, with analysts saying it has the potential to determine the course of the country. The party has been facing persecution under Erdogan's government, with former leader Selahattin Demirtas still behind bars and the party facing possible closure by court for suspected ties to the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Despite this, the HDP remains a powerful force in Turkish politics, and its supporters are seen as crucial to Kilicdaroglu's chances of winning. The Kurdish minority makes up around 15-20% of Turkey's population, and their vote could prove decisive in the election.
Erdogan has long sought to suppress the HDP and limit the influence of Kurdish politicians, but this may ultimately backfire. Analysts say that the HDP's decision not to field a candidate may be seen as a clever move, allowing its supporters to vote for Kilicdaroglu while also keeping the party's influence.
The situation is delicate, with the HDP facing accusations of ties to the PKK and a possible court case that could ban the party. However, experts say that the HDP's decision to avoid fielding a candidate may be beneficial for Kilicdaroglu, allowing him to benefit from the Kurdish vote without being seen as allied with the pro-Kurdish party.
The outcome of the election is far from certain, but one thing is clear: the Kurds will play a crucial role in determining Turkey's future.