Mersin Province: AKP's Declining, HDP Should Pass the Threshold.

We handed the microphone to people in Mersin province (in Southern Turkey) before the election which will be held on June 7. Almost all of the people agree that Justice and Development Party (AKP) is facing a downfall and HDP must pass the election threshold. Citizens drew attention to the rise of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

We talked to people from different castes:

A tradesman had an opinion that a ruling party without AKP would make Turkey less tense. He told some of his friends would vote for Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and this would make AKP recede.

A barber shared his opinion “The presidential system doesn’t suit us. It will be pain in the neck. The solution is at the hand of the opposing party. It must be strong.

“Our children are jobless, hungry but some people find jobs for Syrians for the sake of political benefit.”

Economy is terrible:

A tradeswoman talked “Politicians say economy is roaring and national income is increasing. It is a far cry from it. Tourists aren’t coming to Mersin, anymore.”

“If he’s a true believer… 

A housewife complained about the political tension: “Politicians should pay attention to their discourse. Children watch them every day on TV and think “this is” politics. We don’t want the presidential system. Empires burned down but some people still pursue those dreams. The President lives in a palace made by our taxes. He lives there by our own money. If he’s a true believer, may he get no benefit from it.”

We talked to Ömer Faruk Polat, Chamber of Stallholders’ Head:

“When HDP enters the parliament, politics can be done more properly. Otherwise, there will be problems. Women’s branch of HDP works hard. AKP gets exhausted and doesn’t seem working for the coming election.

A taxi driver said “I’m not a partisan of HDP but I want HDP to pass the election threshold. My clients agree that. (EKN/BD)

* This tour has been made with the help of coordinatorship of P24.

Click here to read this article in Turkish