Erdogan Targets HDP Voters, Accusing Them of Supporting a Terrorist Organization

Strategic Insights -

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has unleashed a series of attacks against voters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), labeling them as supporters of a terrorist organization. During a speech in Rize province, Erdogan implied that followers of the Gulen movement, a faith-based movement inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, had divided the country by voting for the HDP in order to support the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Erdogan's tone was reminiscent of hate speeches he gave during rallies before the general election on June 7 and two elections in 2014.

Key Takeaways:

  • Erdogan accused HDP voters of supporting a terrorist organization, implying a connection between the HDP and the PKK.
  • The HDP secured 13.2% of the total vote in the June general election, ending 13 years of AK Party rule.
  • Erdogan has repeatedly accused the Gulen movement of being behind a plot to overthrow the AK Party government, despite no evidence of any crime.
  • AK Party deputy Huseyin Kocabcyck blamed PKK attacks on HDP voters, sparking anger on social media.
  • Kocabcyck received angry responses from fellow users, but defended his tweet, arguing that the HDP exists to justify PKK actions.
  • Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli previously sparked controversy by labeling HDP voters as "dishonorable people living in waterfront mansions on the Bosporus".

Statistics:

  • 13.2%: The percentage of the total vote secured by the HDP in the June general election.
  • 6 million: The number of votes won by the HDP in the June election.
  • 13 years: The length of time the AK Party held power before being ousted by the HDP.

Sources:

  • [https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-targets-hdp-voters-accusing-them-of-supporting-a-terrorist-organization-123245](https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-targets-hdp-voters-accusing-them-of-supporting-a-terrorist-organization-123245)
  • [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/erdogan-slams-hdp-pkk-link-in-speech-15072413350204.html](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/erdogan-slams-hdp-pkk-link-in-speech-15072413350204.html)