New Co-Chairs for Peace and Democracy Party

Members of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) elected their new co-chairs in an extraordinary congress on 1 February. Diyarbakır MPs Selahattin Demirtaş and Gültan Kışanak share the party's forefront.

After the Constitutional Court had decreed for the closure of Democratic Society Party (DTP) in mid December last year, a political ban was imposed on 37 party members, among them DTP co-chairs Ahmet Türk and Aysel Tuğluk. The remaining 19 DTP MPs joined the Peace and Democracy Party.

The work of former co-chairs Türk and Tuğluk was appreciated with a hugh applause at the congress. According to the speakers of the congress,  BDP aims at becoming a nation-wide alternative for Turkish voters. The party lays its hope on the year 2010 as a year of democratization and peace. Speeches were made on various topics, such as the solution of the Kurdish question, saying that the willpower of imprisoned Adullah Öcalan, leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party, should be a determinant. Furthermore, Turkey in its role as a "democratic partner country" and a "democratic republic" was emphasized. "Democratic autonomy" was suggested as an administration model on a local level.

The congress was attended by 2,000 particiapants, the same amount of people were waiting outside the congress hall. Among the attendants were former DTP co-chairs Türk and Tuğluk, BDP MPs, members of the "Peace Group" coming from Kandil and Mahmur and also a group of Tekel workers.

Gültan Kışanak

Journalist Gültan Kışanak was born on 15 June 1961 in Elazığ in eastern Turkey. She graduated from Ege University Communication Facutly in Journalism and Public Relations. Kışanak worked for various newspapers as a journalist. She ran several projects as co-ordinator and consultant for the Bağlar Municipality Social Project in Diyarbakır in eastern Turkey. The new BDP co-chair is married and mother of one child. With an independent candidacy she was elected Diyarbakır MP on 22 July 2007 and joined the DTP group.

Selahattin Demirtaş

Lawyer Selahattin Demirtaş was born on 10 April 1973 in the Elazığ of Palu. He graduated from Law School at Ankara University and worked as a lawyer. He became Board Member of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Diyarbakır Branch and Branch President. He is also member of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey and the Turkish branch of Amnesty International. Demirtaş is married and has two children. As his colleague Kışanak, Demirtaş was elected Diyarbakır MP as independent candidate in the elections on 22 July 2007 and joined the DTP group. (TK/VK)