Erdogan’s political fate may be determined by Turkey’s Kurds | CNN

Turkey's pro-Kurdish party has emerged as a crucial player in the country's upcoming election, which may tip the balance in favor of opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and potentially oust long-time ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which has been persecuted by the government for its pro-Kurdish stance, has announced it will not field a presidential candidate, allowing supporters to vote for Erdogan's main rival. This move is seen as a strategic calculation by the HDP to maximize its influence without being tied to a specific candidate.

Analysts say the decision allows Kilicdaroglu to capitalize on the Kurdish population's discontent with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has traditionally voted for Erdogan. The opposition leader is well-positioned to win the election, but his chances depend on the HDP's support.

The HDP's influence in Turkish politics cannot be overstated. As one of the main parties representing Turkey's 15% Kurdish minority, it plays a vital role in shaping the country's future.

However, the party faces significant challenges. Its former leader Selahattin Demirtas has been imprisoned for nearly seven years on terrorism charges, and the party may face court closure over suspected ties to the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is seen as a calculated move to avoid being tied to a specific candidate. However, this also means that its supporters will have to choose between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu.

For many Kurds in Turkey, Kilicdaroglu represents a chance for change. The opposition leader has promised to work towards a more inclusive government that respects the rights of all citizens.

The HDP's position is precarious. With its current case against it in Turkey's Constitutional Court, the party may be banned at any moment, which would limit its ability to participate in the election.

Turkey's Kurdish minority faces significant challenges. While many Kurds have traditionally voted for Erdogan's AKP, there are growing signs of discontent with the ruling government's policies towards the region.

The HDP knows that its position is key to the outcome of next month's vote. The party wants to play the game wisely and avoid a "contaminated political climate" where the elections are polarized between an ultra-nationalist discourse against Kilicdaroglu and others.

Overall, Turkey's pro-Kurdish party has emerged as a crucial player in the country's upcoming election, which may tip the balance in favor of opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and potentially oust long-time ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

I'm thinking about this move by the HDP, it's like they're playing a long game here ... They're not trying to take on Erdogan directly, but more so trying to make their supporters vote for him instead, which could actually work in Kilicdaroglu's favor. It's like they're saying "Hey, you don't have to choose between us and Erdogan". I'm curious to see how the Kurds are going to vote, some of them seem really disappointed with the current government's policies towards their community .

But at the same time, this move by the HDP is also super strategic... they're trying not to get tied down to a specific candidate, so if Kilicdaroglu loses, they can just distance themselves from him and pretend like they were never even involved. It's like they're playing chess here, not checkers .

It's also interesting to see how the opposition is responding to this move... are they going to try to win over the HDP's support? Or are they just going to use it as a way to say "Hey, we've got the Kurdish vote in the bag". Either way, it's definitely going to be an interesting election .

so like the HDP is playing it cool by not fielding a candidate but I think that's kinda bold move? anyway, it seems like they're trying to maximize their influence without being tied to a specific winner, which is smart given their history of persecution.

but what I find interesting is how Kilicdaroglu's chances are now dependent on the HDP's support - if he can win over those Kurds, he might have a shot at taking down Erdogan. it's like, the opposition leader's got this one chance to make a real difference and I'm kinda rooting for him?

idk if this is good timing for the HDP to not field a candidate ... it kinda leaves their supporters with no choice but to vote for either Erdogan or Kilicdaroglu... which is pretty polarizing, tbh . i mean, can't we have more parties in the mix? this just seems like a calculated move by the HDP to maximize their influence without being tied down to anyone specific . but at the same time, it's also kinda scary that they're avoiding a specific candidate due to government pressure

I think this is gonna be interesting . The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is like, a calculated risk right? They're trying to maximize their influence without being tied to a specific person, but at the same time they're kinda giving up some control over the direction of the party.

I'm also worried about Selahattin Demirtas still being locked up for 7 years . That's just not right. And if the HDP gets banned from participating in the election, that's like, a total disaster scenario.

But hey, Kemal Kilicdaroglu is looking pretty strong right now . The Kurds are definitely feeling disenchanted with Erdogan's gov and Kilicdaroglu promises to bring about some change. Fingers crossed he delivers on those promises .

I'm so hyped about this election ! The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is genius , it's like they're playing the long game . If Kemal Kilicdaroglu wins, it'll be a major win for Turkey's Kurdish minority . I mean, they've been marginalized and oppressed for far too long . And let's be real, Erdogan has done nothing but hurt them . This election is all about change , and if Kilicdaroglu can bring it, he'll have my support ! The HDP's influence in Turkish politics cannot be overstated , they need to keep pushing for a more inclusive government . Fingers crossed for a better future

The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is like a wild card in Turkish politics, but for the better? It might be seen as a strategic move to avoid being tied to a specific candidate, but it also means their supporters have to choose between two big names . Meanwhile, many Kurds see Kilicdaroglu as a chance for change and an inclusive government . The opposition leader's promise to work towards more rights for all citizens resonates with the Kurdish minority who are getting increasingly frustrated with Erdogan's policies . It's like the HDP is playing a tightrope act, balancing its own interests with the need to support Kilicdaroglu and potentially oust Erdogan . If they succeed, it could be a game-changer for Turkish politics .

The Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) decision not to field a presidential candidate is a clever strategic move. By avoiding a specific candidate, they're able to maximize their influence without being tied down to a particular choice . This calculated risk allows Kemal Kilicdaroglu to capitalize on the Kurdish population's growing discontent with the AKP and potentially upset Erdogan's long tenure .

The HDP's position is indeed precarious, as their former leader Selahattin Demirtas remains imprisoned and the party faces court closure concerns . However, their influence in Turkish politics cannot be overstated, particularly among Turkey's 15% Kurdish minority .

For many Kurds, Kilicdaroglu represents a chance for change and more inclusive governance . The opposition leader has promised to work towards a more balanced government that respects the rights of all citizens .

I think it's interesting to note how the HDP's move may tip the balance in favor of Kilicdaroglu and potentially oust Erdogan from power . The outcome of the election will be crucial for Turkey's future, and the HDP's position is key to achieving this goal .

I gotta say, I'm low-key excited about this election . I think it's gonna be a total disaster for Kemal Kilicdaroglu . He's got the HDP's support, but that party is just too unpredictable . One minute they're pro-Kurdish, next minute they're in bed with Erdogan . And don't even get me started on the opposition leader's promises of inclusivity... yeah right, like that's ever gonna happen .

The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is actually a genius move by Erdogan . He's gonna ride this wave of Kurdish discontent and come out on top . And as for Kilicdaroglu, he's just a puppet on a string, waiting to be pulled by the HDP .

Turkey's pro-Kurdish party may think they're playing it wise, but I think they're just digging their own grave . This election is gonna be a total mess, and everyone's gonna end up losing . Can't wait to see how this all plays out !

idk about this whole thing tho ... if the HDP isn't fielding a candidate it just seems like they're kinda handing it to kilicdaroglu, which is probs not ideal for them since their own ppl might be all like "yeah we love you guys but let's vote for our boy kemal instead". and whats up with this perpetual court closure thingy? it's like, can't the hdp just get a break already

I'm so confused about this Turkish politics stuff . I mean, isn't it like a big game where people vote for their favorite guy? But then you have this pro-Kurdish party that's like "nope, we're not going to choose anyone" . I get why they did it though - they want to make sure they can still influence the election without being tied to one person.

It seems like Kemal Kilicdaroglu is in a good spot right now , but it's all very complicated because of this pro-Kurdish party. They're like the middle ground between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu, which is kind of cool? I wish we could just simplify it to "do you like turkey or not?" .

But seriously, Turkey has a lot of problems with its Kurdish minority and it seems like this election could make things better for them . I hope they get the change they're looking for .

The HDP's decision not to field a presidential candidate is super interesting . It shows that they're playing it smart by maximizing their influence without being tied to a specific person. Meanwhile, Kemal Kilicdaroglu is well-positioned to win the election with the Kurdish population's discontent towards the ruling party growing .

It's no secret that the HDP faces some tough challenges, like Selahattin Demirtas' imprisonment and court closure worries . But they're trying to avoid a polarized climate where Kilicdaroglu is seen as an ultra-nationalist alternative. I think it's a calculated move by the party to stay in the game without being tied down .

Turkey's Kurdish minority is facing some major issues, but this election could be their chance for change . Fingers crossed that the HDP can navigate these challenges and play a key role in shaping Turkey's future .

I'm kinda worried about the HDP not fielding a candidate . On one hand, it's a smart move to avoid being tied to a specific candidate and maximizing their influence without getting bogged down in party politics. But on the other hand, it also means that Kurdish voters will have to choose between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu, which could be tough for some people. The HDP's position is pretty precarious atm , with its case against it at the Constitutional Court and all . I'm rooting for Kilicdaroglu to win, but I hope the Kurdish minority gets their say in this election . It's like, they deserve better than the status quo .

the HDP making a smart move not fielding a candidate but honestly if they weren't it would've been super awkward for them to just show up and be all "hey we're here" when the whole country is already divided over Erdogan vs Kilicdaroglu... anyway, this is gonna be interesting to watch

The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is like they're trying to pull the rug from under Erdogan, but at the same time, it's also gonna be tough for Kilicdaroglu since he's relying on the Kurdish vote. I think it's good that they're playing smart and avoiding a polarized election, but the HDP's position is super precarious, you know? They might get banned or something, which would be disastrous for their chances

I think it's kinda cool that the HDP is playing this strategic game to maximize its influence without being tied to a specific candidate . It shows they're aware of the polarized politics in Turkey right now . If Kilicdaroglu can capitalize on the Kurdish population's discontent with the ruling party, he might have a good shot at winning the election . But it's also interesting that the HDP is trying to avoid being tied to a specific candidate - it's like they're saying "we want to be the game-changers, not just the spoiler" . For me, this whole situation highlights how complex and nuanced Turkish politics can be . The fact that the Kurdish minority has traditionally voted for Erdogan's AKP but is now growing more discontent with his policies speaks volumes about the changing dynamics in Turkey.

The die is cast

This decision by the HDP to not field a candidate might be a clever ploy to maximize its influence without being tied to a specific outcome, but it's also a gamble that could backfire.

As the saying goes, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" . The HDP needs to navigate these treacherous waters carefully and avoid being caught up in the polarized climate of Turkish politics.

It remains to be seen whether Kilicdaroglu can capitalize on the Kurdish population's discontent and deliver a change that many Kurds are hoping for. Only time will tell if this is indeed the start of something new

The HDP's decision not to field a candidate is kinda clever move . It'll help them maximize their influence without being tied down to one person . And let's be real, Kilicdaroglu is well-positioned to win the election , especially if the Kurdish population is feeling kinda...meh about Erdogan . The HDP's impact on Turkish politics can't be overstated , and it'll be interesting to see how they handle their precarious situation . Fingers crossed they can navigate this without getting banned !

idk about this HDP decision not fielding a candidate... seems like they're trying to play it safe but at the same time kinda ceding control to Kem. i mean, if they wanted to maximize their influence they should've gone all in with Kilicdaroglu instead of playing it cool. and what's up with the court closure thing? it's like they're being super cautious for no reason

this is gonna be interesting

the hdp's decision not to field a candidate might just be what kilicdaroglu needs to take down erdogan... or it could be a masterclass in strategic manipulation

anyway, the kurdish minority has been feeling pretty disrespected by the government for years, so i'm kinda rooting for them