As Turkey gears up for the highly anticipated presidential elections, the political landscape is seeing a major shift with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) endorsing an opposition candidate. This unexpected alliance has sent shockwaves through Turkish politics and ignited debates among citizens nationwide. As tensions continue to simmer, let’s delve deeper into this game-changing move by HDP and its implications on the upcoming election.

Background of the Kurdish Referendum

Since the establishment of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq, Kurds have sought independence from Baghdad and have fought several bloody wars with Iraqi government forces. In September 2014, Kurdish leaders announced a referendum on whether to secede from Iraq. The vote was held on 25 September, and 72% of voters supported independence.

On 1 October, the Kurdistan Regional Government announced that it had selected Masoud Barzani as its presidential candidate. Barzani is the president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which has been pivotal in pushing for the referendum and independence. His opponent is incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who leads the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) insurgency in northern Iraq.

The KDP has long been one of Iraq’s two dominant parties, but support for Abadi has increased in recent months as ISIS has made gains across Iraq. If Barzani loses on 17 December, he may be unable to form a coalition government after the referendum result is announced and push forward with an independent Kurdistan.

Why is the Kurdish Referendum Important?

The Kurdish referendum on independence is an important vote that could have far-reaching implications for the region. The vote is scheduled to take place on September 25, and if it passes, it will give the Kurds regional autonomy in terms of their own government and security forces.

Advertisement

The referendum has divided the international community, with some supporting it as a way of giving the Kurds more autonomy while others see it as a step too far that could cause greater conflict. The pro-Kurdish party in Turkey, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), backs the referendum and has been one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main opponents. If the referendum passes, Erdogan may be forced to allow more self-rule for the Kurds or face protests from his own people.

The vote is important not only because of its potential consequences but also because of who is voting. While most of the population in Iraq and Syria are Sunni Muslims, Kurds make up approximately 30% of both countries’ populations. If the Kurdish majority votes in favor of independence, it could lead to further sectarian violence between Sunni and Kurdish factions in both countries. This would complicate efforts by U.S.-backed forces to defeat ISIS and maintain order in Iraq and Syria.

The Results of the Kurdish Referendum

The Kurdish referendum was a vote to determine whether or not the region should become an independent state. The results of the referendum were 93.3% in favor of independence, with a total turnout of over 73%. While this landslide victory signals Kurdish support for independence, it has also created growing opposition from countries such as Turkey and Iran.

The main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has gained ground in recent polls, largely due to its pro-Kurdish stance. CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has called for a ceasefire between the Turkish government and the PKK, and has promised to protect the rights of Kurds living within Turkey. This move is significant because up until now, the Turkish government has refused to recognize any Kurdish autonomy other than that which is granted by the government itself.

While this change in attitude is significant, it remains to be seen whether or not it will be enough to convince Ankara to soften its stance on Kurdish independence.

Advertisement

What next for the Kurds?

The Kurdish opposition is making gains in the run-up to the October 25 presidential election, as a pro-Kurdish political party backs its candidate.

Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has called for voting for his rebel movement’s candidate, Selahattin Demirtas.

While Demirtas currently enjoys little support outside of Kurdish areas – and even less within them – his candidacy is seen by some as a way to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s dominance.

Erdogan has pursued a policy of suppression of Kurdish culture and language, leading to increasing unrest across the region. This year alone, there have been at least 15 bombings and shootings targeting police and security forces in southeast Turkey attributed to militants linked to the PKK.

If elected, Demirtas said he would work to end 7 years of peace talks with the government that have failed to produce results. Violence could resume if he fails to meet Erdogan’s demands for concessions, such as renouncing violence and recognizing Turkish sovereignty over Kurdish areas.

Advertisement

Conclusion

Opposition gains ground as pro-Kurdish party supports presidential candidate. Recent polls show that Kurdish support is increasing, and so the opposition parties are starting to rally around their anti-Kurdish candidate in order to keep up. However, this election has shown that Kurds are not only united under one banner but also want change within their borders. The opposition’s attempt to block the rise of a Kurdish president will likely backfire, and by supporting an individual who wants more autonomy for Kurds they may be able to win over some votes.