The HDP is giving the green light to alliance in the presidential election if it goes to a second round. Its candidate, on the other hand, will be selected depending on the opposition’s stance.
With there being consensus of opinion within the HDP over support for the candidate in the presidential election who makes it through to a potential second round, it is said that it will act with flexibility over whether to field a strong candidate in the first round depending on the opposition parties’ first-round strategies. Should agreement not be reached on a joint first-round candidate, the name of Selahattin Demirtaş as a strong first-round candidate is coming to the fore in the HDP.  A Central Executive Committee meeting was held yesterday at the HDP to determine its election strategy. A meeting of the Women’s Assembly will be held tomorrow and of the Party Assembly on Wednesday. From these meetings will emerge the identity of the HDP’s presidential candidate and the road map the party will follow up to 24 June.  Two basic strategies within the HDP are being spoken of with reference to 24 June on which two different polls will be held. The HDP is charting flexible strategies depending on whether a potential alliance is forged with the other opposition parties and which round the said alliance will be made in. It has been gleaned that the view prevailing within the party favours supporting the opposition candidate if it goes to a second round.  However, there are those in the party who contend that it will not be meaningful and healthy for the alliance to be made in the first round. There is also talk of an opinion that, if the other opposition parties field a joint candidate in the first round, this candidacy should be supported. It is noted that, in keeping with this, if the other opposition parties settle on a joint candidate, the said candidate can be supported.  If the opposition is unable to agree on a joint candidate, the party is expected to contest the elections in the first round with a strong candidate. Under this scenario, the name of Selahattin Demirtaş, who is being held in detention in Edirne Prison, is coming to the fore. In line with this, certain messages have been conveyed to Demirtaş through his lawyers as to his potential candidacy and Demirtaş has indicated that he is positively inclined towards standing. There currently exists no obstacle in legal terms to Demirtaş standing.
Flexible candidacy strategy in the HDP