HDP cannot be shaped by ‘impositions,’ says co-chair

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

DHA photo

There is an attempt to push the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) away from parliament, party co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ has said, noting the HDP would not “be shaped” based on “their impositions.” 

“They are trying to push the HDP out of the parliament. I do not say out of politics because they can never succeed at pushing us out of politics. We were a subject and an alternative center to politics before entering parliament. They do not want this center to be a force against them in parliament. We are not a party that takes political shapes based on their impositions. They cannot shape us, nor design us,” said Yüksekdağ during the HDP’s weekly group meeting on May 10.

Claiming that under the current conditions there was a need for the HDP, Yüksekdağ chastised the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for their reported support of a potential shift to the presidential system in Turkey. 

“In the face of the imposition of a presidential regime and a coup, the main opposition says ‘you are suspending the constitution but we are going to say ‘yes’ to your imposition,’ and the smallest one is almost going to give the key of the party to the palace,” said Yüksekdağ. 

Addressing the debate over the party’s immunity, she said, “HDP deputies have never had immunity as their homes are being raided and searched or they face violence from the police on the streets.” 

Touching upon Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s decision to step down, Yüksekdağ said Davutoğlu was “suspended” as part of a “coup process” that has been continuing since the June 7, 2015, general elections.