Başak Demirtaş announces she will not run for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayorship

Başak Demirtaş, the wife of Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the HDP, announced that she would not run for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayorship, despite previously signaling her candidacy. The DEM Party shared following in regards: “Our candidate names for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will be shared with the public in the coming days.” Some reports say there are two different opinions within the DEM Party regarding Demirtaş’s candidacy decision, and a step back has been taken.

Not achieving the expected results from the alliance negotiations with the CHP, the DEM Party (pro-Kurdish) had decided to nominate candidates in 81 provinces. Başak Demirtaş, the wife of the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the HDP, Selahattin Demirtaş, had previously signaled her readiness for the Istanbul candidacy by saying, “If my party deems it appropriate, I can consider it.”

Following the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the party, DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan stated that they would share the names of the candidates by February 9, saying, “Başak Demirtaş is also in our candidate pool. I would like it to be known that there are many valuable names in our pool, and many names that have been reflected to the public have been considered, evaluated, and consultations have been held with them.”

Başak Demirtaş announced that she would not run for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayorship, despite previously signaling her candidacy. The DEM Party also stated, “Our candidate names for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will be shared with the public in the coming days.”

“WE WILL NOMINATE THEIR OWN CANDIDATE”

Before the election, similar statements were made in the DEM Party to avoid giving the message of “no divergence.” The DEM Party also announced that the candidate names for Istanbul will be announced soon. The DEM Party is standing behind its decision to enter the election with its own candidate. Currently, Meral Danış Beştaş’s name is mentioned for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayorship candidacy. There is a possibility that Beştaş, who is thought to have a base within the party, may be shifted to Ankara. The name of former deputy Ali Kenanoğlu has also been brought up.

Editor’s Note: If pro-Kurdish DEM party (former HDP) nominates own candidate, IMAMOGLU’s chance to win will possibly weaken, as stated by experts. If this candidate were BAŞAK DEMİRTAŞ, his chances to win would even be weaker.