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

Turkey's pro-Kurdish party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), has emerged as a crucial player in the country's upcoming election, potentially tipping the balance to unseat long-time leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The HDP, which has faced severe persecution under Erdogan's rule, announced last month that it would not field its own presidential candidate, allowing supporters to vote for Erdogan's main rival. This move is seen as a strategic maneuver by the party, which aims to avoid being pigeonholed into a pro-Kurdish or anti-Erdogan stance.

Experts say that the HDP's decision to drop its presidential candidate is a turning point in Turkey's politics and society. The party's founders aimed to bring about peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish conflict through their movement, but it has been subjected to intense persecution by Erdogan's government.

The HDP's influence extends beyond Kurdish voters, who make up around 15-20% of Turkey's population. Other Kurdish voters have traditionally backed Erdogan's AK Party, which could pose a challenge for the opposition candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), is seen as the strongest contender to run against Erdogan in years. While the HDP has not yet announced its support for him, analysts believe that it may play a decisive role in the election.

The HDP's decision comes just days after Kilicdaroglu visited the party's co-chairs, signaling a potential alliance between the two parties. The opposition bloc is seen as a key player in shaping Turkey's future, and the HDP's influence could tip the balance in their favor.

However, the HDP faces numerous challenges, including a court case that could lead to its closure for suspected collusion with the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The party's former leader, Selahattin Demirtas, remains an influential figure despite being imprisoned for nearly seven years.

Analysts say that a post-Erdogan Turkey may give some breathing space to the Kurds and Kurdish-dominated parties, allowing them to reassert their influence. The HDP knows that its position is key to the outcome of next month's vote but also faces a delicate situation, as it seeks to avoid a "contaminated political climate" where elections are polarized.

Iran has vowed to respond to an alleged Israeli attack on Iranian military advisers in Syria, with Iran's government spokesman calling for retaliation against what he described as "state terrorism."

This is gonna be good . So the HDP dropping their presidential candidate was a smart move, tbh . I mean, who needs to label themselves when you can just let people vote for whoever they want? It's not like Erdogan's got a stranglehold on the system already . And let's be real, Kemal Kilicdaroglu is looking pretty solid as an opposition candidate - his party's influence goes way beyond Kurdish voters . The thing to watch out for now is if the HDP can stay on the right side of things without getting shut down by the courts . And meanwhile, Iran's just going to keep blowing up in Syria like clockwork . Something needs to give, but I'm not holding my breath .

I'm just saying the HDP's move could be a game-changer in Turkey's election. It's like they're trying to make themselves less predictable, you know? By not running their own candidate, they're kinda freeing up some space for other parties, like the CHP. But at the same time, it's like they're walking a tightrope – if the opposition party is seen as pro-HDP, people might get confused and vote for Erdogan instead. And have you noticed how many court cases and whatnot are being thrown against them? It's like they're trying to shut them down before the election even happens

I gotta say, this is super interesting. So the HDP, which has been through so much under Erdogan's rule, is like totally playing a wild card now. Not fielding their own candidate was like a bold move, but at the same time, it's also kinda sneaky. They're not taking a stand against Erdogan or anything, they're just trying to stay above the fray.

And then there's this whole thing with Kilicdaroglu and the opposition bloc... it feels like something big is about to happen, you know? Like, maybe Turkey is finally gonna get some much-needed change after all these years. Of course, the HDP has a lot on their plate right now what with that court case and everything.

It's funny, I was just thinking about how politics can be so... complicated. One minute you're rooting for this guy or party, the next you're not sure who to support anymore. And then there's all these other issues like Iran and Syria, it feels like the world is on fire sometimes. But hey, at least we've got each other to talk about it, right?

Ugh, can't even get a decent thread going without some drama . The HDP's decision not to field a presidential candidate is just a PR move to appease Erdogan and the AK Party. I mean, come on, they're basically handing him the win before the election even starts. It's like they're trying to prove their own weakness .

And don't even get me started on the court case that could lead to the HDP's closure. What a perfect way for Erdogan to silence his opposition once and for all . The Kurds already have it tough in Turkey, and this is just another example of how the government is out to get them.

As for Kilicdaroglu, I'm not sure if he's the savior we're looking for. He seems like a decent enough guy, but can he really lead the opposition to victory? We'll have to wait and see . One thing's for sure, though - this election is going to be super polarized, and it's hard to imagine anyone winning without someone's vote being "contaminated" .

And what's with all these global tensions?! Can't we just focus on our own politics for once? First, it's the Kurds in Turkey, then Iran responding to an alleged Israeli attack... It's exhausting.

omg i just read this news about turkey and i'm low-key hyped lol Erdogan is like a relic of the past and it's time for some fresh faces to take over the hdp making moves by not fielding their own presidential candidate is pure genius tbh, it shows they're thinking outside the box and trying to win votes from all corners of the country

and can we talk about kemal kilicdaroglu for a sec? he's like the ultimate underdog story from being a congressman to leading the opposition party and now possibly taking down erdogan? the guy's got skills and i'm loving it but at the same time, the hdp still has so many challenges ahead of them, like that court case that could get them shut down fingers crossed they can navigate this stuff and come out on top

anyway, the whole situation in turkey is super interesting and i'm keeping an eye on it, especially with iran's response to the alleged israeli attack... seems like the world is getting more complicated by the day

I'm watching the Turkish election closely . According to recent polls, Kemal Kilicdaroglu's CHP has a 55% chance of winning , while Erdogan's AK Party has around 30%. Meanwhile, the HDP is expected to get around 15-20% of the vote, which is impressive considering their history of persecution . The party's decision not to field its own presidential candidate was a smart move, as it shows they're willing to adapt and work with others to achieve common goals .

Here are some stats to put this into perspective:

* Turkey's GDP has been growing steadily, with a 4% increase in 2022 alone
* The HDP's influence extends beyond Kurdish voters, reaching out to around 20% of the population
* Erdogan's approval ratings have been declining, down from 67% in 2019 to 35% in 2023

It'll be interesting to see how the election unfolds and what impact it has on Turkey's politics and society . One thing is for sure, though: a post-Erdogan Turkey could bring about some much-needed changes .

I'm not sure why they need 1 billion users to make this thing work . The whole news is pretty dry, but I guess it's good that Turkey's politics are getting more interesting. That Kurdish party making a big move by not running their own candidate is kinda clever, but also super risky . And now the HDP is trying to play both sides? Good luck with that . Meanwhile, the opposition leader might actually have a shot at beating Erdogan for the first time in ages... would be pretty cool . But hold up, what's with all these court cases and threats against the Kurdish party? Can't they just focus on the election already? And another thing, why do we need 1000 words of analysis to tell us that Iran's gonna respond to an alleged attack . I mean, it's not like we don't already know how Middle Eastern countries react when someone messes with them .

I'm telling you, something fishy is going down in Turkey . The HDP's decision not to field their own presidential candidate seems like a clever move, but I think it's all about control. They're trying to shape the narrative and pave the way for Kemal Kilicdaroglu to take down Erdogan. It's all about power and influence . And what about that court case threatening the HDP's existence? It's like they're playing a game of whack-a-mole, always staying one step ahead .

And let's not forget about the Iran situation . This alleged Israeli attack is just a distraction from the real issues in Turkey. It's all about the powerful players trying to manipulate the system to their advantage . I'm keeping an eye on this situation, and I'll be the first to say if something fishy goes down

I'm low-key freaking out about this Turkey election news . So the HDP is dropping its presidential candidate and it's like a master move by their leaders... or maybe not so much? I mean, they're trying to avoid being seen as pro-Kurdish or anti-Erdogan, which makes sense, but also kinda weird. Can't they just be honest about who they are for once?

And what's with the opposition bloc, led by Kemal Kilicdaroglu? He seems like a solid candidate, but will the HDP really support him? They're not saying anything about it and that's got me curious .

But let's talk about Iran, am I right? An alleged Israeli attack on Iranian military advisers in Syria? That's some serious stuff. And now they're vowing to respond with retaliation... it's like a never-ending game of geopolitical chicken . Can we just have world peace for once?!

the hdp's move is a big deal lol. they're basically saying we're not gonna play by the rules anymore . it's like they're testing the waters to see how far they can push Erdogan before he cracks under the pressure. and with kilicdaroglu possibly joining forces, that's some juicy stuff right there . but at the same time, you gotta wonder what's really going on behind closed doors . is this a genuine attempt to bring about change or just a ploy to gain more power? only time will tell

OMG just heard about the HDP dropping its presidential candidate and it's like a whole new game in Turkish politics! The strategy is pure genius, allowing their supporters to vote for Erdogan's rival instead of creating a pro-Kurdish or anti-Erdogan divide. It's like they're trying to break free from the polarization and bring some sanity to the table

Kemal Kilicdaroglu seems like a strong contender to take on Erdogan, but let's not forget that other Kurdish voters traditionally support AK Party... it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out The HDP's influence is huge, especially beyond Kurdish voters - they're not just fighting for Kurdish rights, but also trying to create change in the entire country

I'm loving the potential alliance between the HDP and Kilicdaroglu's party... it could be the key to tipping the balance against Erdogan! And can we talk about how a post-Erdogan Turkey could bring some much-needed breathing space for the Kurds? Fingers crossed it all works out for them

Turkey's pro-Kurdish party, HDP, is getting more power . They're not even gonna run a candidate, which is like giving Erdogan a free pass . But experts say this is a big deal and could change the game in Turkish politics.

The thing is, Erdogan has been super harsh on them, and it's hard to know what's gonna happen next . The HDP's former leader, Demirtas, was jailed for years, so you can imagine how tough it must be for them .

But wait, there's more! Iran is all like "retaliation" against Israel . This is getting super intense and I don't know what's gonna happen next . Maybe Turkey will get some breathing space if Erdogan loses? But we'll just have to wait and see .

It's like, what even is the point of politics anymore ? Everyone's just trying to one-up each other, and no one's really listening . Anyway, I guess this is all gonna be interesting to watch... or not

The HDP's move is super interesting , I mean, who would've thought that a pro-Kurdish party would basically be the game changer in Turkey's election? Erdogan's been in power for ages and it seems like everyone's just accepting him as the norm. But the HDP's decision to not run its own candidate could be the wake-up call that the opposition needs .

It's crazy how the Kurdish vote is such a key demographic, making up around 15-20% of Turkey's population . And if they can come together and support Kilicdaroglu, he might just have a shot at taking down Erdogan after all . The potential alliance between the HDP and the CHP could be huge .

But at the same time, there are so many challenges facing the HDP right now . That court case threatening to close them down is a major concern, and if that happens it could be game over for the party . And let's not forget the delicate situation they're in, where they need to balance their influence with avoiding a polarized election climate .

What do you guys think? Do you think the HDP's move will actually make a difference in Turkey's politics?

I'm not sure about the HDP's decision not to field its own candidate... sounds like a clever move, but also kinda weird . I mean, it's gotta be tough for 'em to decide whether to play nice or keep their independence. And what's up with Kilicdaroglu and the CHP potentially teaming up with them? That's some interesting politics at play . It just goes to show how complex Turkey's election situation is...

idk how the HDP's decision to drop its presidential candidate is gonna play out lol, but it's def a strategic move. they're trying to avoid being pinned down on either side of the Erdogan vs Kemal Kilicdaroglu axis. and honestly, i think this could be a game changer for the opposition. but at the same time, the HDP still faces so many challenges - that court case is looming over them like a dark cloud . and what's with Iran all over again? can't they just chill on their threats for once?

Man, I'm low-key hyped about the HDP's decision not to run a presidential candidate . It's like they're playing a long game here, you know? They've been persecuted under Erdogan's rule for years, and it's crazy that they're still holding on. The Kurdish conflict has been going on for ages, and I remember when my uncle was involved in the PKK back in the day . He said it was all about self-defense, but I guess we'll never know for sure.

This election is gonna be a wild ride, especially with Kilicdaroglu as the opposition candidate . He's like the dark horse here, nobody expected him to have a shot at unseating Erdogan . The HDP's influence could make all the difference, but they gotta navigate this court case and not get tainted by politics .

It's interesting that Iran is already talking about retaliation against Israel . What's next? A full-blown war in the Middle East? I just hope our leaders can keep the peace and avoid any unnecessary conflicts. Turkey's future looks uncertain, but one thing's for sure – it's gonna be a bumpy ride .

idk if the HDP dropping its presidential candidate is good or bad news, tbh. seems like they're trying to play both sides but it could also be a clever move to stay relevant lol. Kemal Kilicdaroglu's chances are looking up, but you never know with politics... the fact that the HDP is still taking heat from the gov even though they won't have a candidate shows how polarized things are in Turkey

omg this is crazy i mean Erdogan is like super long time leader and ppl r hoping 4 change the hdp party doing some sneaky stuff by not fielding its own candidate lol experts say it's a big deal for turkey's politics and society btw Kemal Kilicdaroglu seems like strong contender tho https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52714293

I'm actually kinda hyped about the HDP's move not running their own presidential candidate . It shows they're thinking ahead and willing to put party over personal interests. This could be a major turning point in Turkish politics, and if Kemal Kilicdaroglu wins, it'll be awesome to see some real change happen . The opposition bloc has been waiting for someone like Kilicdaroglu to step up, and now they might finally have their chance . Let's hope the HDP can navigate this tricky situation without getting too polarized . Fingers crossed for a more democratic future in Turkey !