Striking statement from Selahattin Demirtaş just hours before DEM Party announces its Istanbul candidate!

Selahattin Demirtaş's wife, Başak Demirtaş, withdrew her candidacy for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), turning all eyes toward the meeting the DEM Party is holding today.

While the DEM Party's announcement regarding the candidacy was delayed by 1 hour, a striking statement came from Selahattin Demirtaş.

Başak Demirtaş shared her husband Selahattin Demirtaş's statement with the note: "Selahattin has written for the first time in months, only about recent developments."

“They do not understand, and cannot understand, Başak Demirtaş's candidacy for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or the DEM Party's 'third way' efforts,” said Demirtaş, adding, “The first thing that comes to everyone's mind is the possibility that a dirty bargain has been made, but no one thinks that people can engage in politics for the development of democracy and peace. Because the dominant form of politics has become 'interest-based politics,' and values-based politics has now been forgotten.”

The most notable part of Demirtaş's statement was regarding the talks with the AKP.

"IF THERE IS NO DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AKP AND THE DEM PARTY, THIS IS A MAJOR DEFICIENCY FOR BOTH PARTIES"

“I do not know if there is a traffic of talks between the DEM Party and the AKP,” said Demirtaş, “But if there isn't, this is a major deficiency for both parties. All parties should be able to meet and talk to solve the country's and society's problems. This is extremely legitimate; in fact, given the current process, it is a duty and a responsibility.”

Merhabalar,

Selahattin aylar sonra, sadece son gelişmeler hakkında yazdı. pic.twitter.com/g6hWvEgwtJ

— Başak Demirtaş (@Basak__Demirtas) February 9, 2024

Demirtaş's written statement is as follows;

"For the Sake of Uncorrupted Things

If you are not engaging in politics for the benefit of the people, the poor, the laborers, and the oppressed, what you are doing is not politics, but 'cheap small-town peddling.'

Looking even at the debates that have taken place in the last twenty days, we can unfortunately easily make this assessment: politics is no longer being practiced in Turkey, but 'peddling.' Those who look for a trick or a scheme behind every political move we make assume everyone is like them. It does not occur to anyone that a political move could have been made for a virtuous purpose. It is a great pity, very sad, but political parties have turned into mechanisms for obtaining seats, positions, and rent.

That is why they do not understand, and cannot understand, Başak Demirtaş's candidacy for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality or the DEM Party's 'third way' efforts. The first thing that comes to everyone's mind is the possibility that a dirty bargain has been made, but no one thinks that people can engage in politics for the development of democracy and peace. Because the dominant form of politics has become 'interest-based politics,' and values-based politics has now been forgotten. I do not know how aware you are that this is a very tragic and dire situation, but this social collapse shows that the coming years have already been lost if we do not intervene now.

I had not spoken for a long time, except for my defenses in court, and I had no intention of speaking. However, it would not have been right to remain silent while so much speculation was being made about us, even if it was by others. I am not going to take every piece of speculation, every lie, and every slander seriously and answer each one individually. I will just say what I need to say and withdraw to my place again.

Without beating around the bush, let me explain point by point.

I do not know if there is a traffic of talks between the DEM Party and the AKP.

But if there isn't, this is a major deficiency for both parties. All parties should be able to meet and talk to solve the country's and society's problems. This is extremely legitimate; in fact, given the current process, it is a duty and a responsibility.

There have been talks between the DEM Party and the CHP that have also been reflected in the press.

They should meet and talk much more. Likewise, all other parties should be able to talk to each other. Advocating the opposite is contrary to the nature of politics.

- Başak Demirtaş's will to be a candidate was intended to contribute to creating a political atmosphere where everyone can talk to everyone else, ending polarization, division, and hostility. While the coffins of our young children continue to arrive from the mountains to the cities, isn't it more valuable for someone to take responsibility than for the 'condemn terrorism' chorus to shed crocodile tears? Those who say 'no' should not line up like prayer beads at soldiers' funerals from now on—I hope it doesn't happen.

- Başak Demirtaş's will to be a candidate was to make the 'third way' politics that the DEM Party is persistently trying to establish visible. It was to say, 'We are not engaging in politics for seats, positions, or rent, but for democracy, justice, and peace, which are the urgent needs of the people.' If there is anyone who says, 'No, these values are not more valuable than my mayoral seat,' they should not talk about justice and democracy from now on.

- Başak Demirtaş's will to be a candidate was to open clenched fists and remind people of shaking hands. Those who cannot understand the value of this should at least not moan and groan when they get punched from now on.

- Başak Demirtaş's will to be a candidate was an indicator of the sincere, virtuous stance of the Kurdish people and the DEM Party, who have not stopped saying 'democracy and peace' despite paying the heaviest prices. Those lacking morality who say 'she bargained for her husband' while sitting comfortably without paying a single price in their lives should at least try to be a little moral from now on.

In conclusion;

The Kurdish issue, the severe democracy and justice problem in Turkey, and economic problems are our priority. We will talk to anyone who wants to talk to solve these problems, and if we see seriousness and sincerity, we will take two steps for every one step taken. For this, we do not ask for permission or approval from anyone. Especially, we can never have an obligation to account to those who are fighting over seats. The DEM Party should also act with this self-confidence; it should meet with all parties, including the ruling party, the main opposition, and others, if it can, and should reach a consensus within the framework of principles and for the development of democracy. For us, the period after April 1 is more important than the March 31 elections.

Those who attach excessive importance to the March 31 elections should also approach our search for democracy, justice, and peace with seriousness. The CHP should not see the issue as consisting solely of March 31; it should value a long-term alliance for the struggle for democracy. The AKP, on the other hand, should treat the four years without elections as an opportunity for a return to democracy. The DEM Party should also be able to meet with all parties, including both, and seek a consensus with whoever will remain committed to these principles.

Başak Demirtaş's will to be a candidate was not evaluated correctly by political actors outside the DEM Party in these respects. For this reason, it is understood that the election race will be entered with other valuable friends. Yet, we value this political move more for social peace than for the election.

Therefore, it is never too late for dialogue and negotiation in terms of social peace and the development of democracy; all parties should be able to talk to each other. Everyone should re-evaluate the issue from this perspective and with a cool head. We serve democracy, freedoms, and peace. The prices we have paid are for nothing else. And I believe that we will win these values and bring them to life. We have the will, the strength, and the determination for this.

Selahattin Demirtaş

February 9, 2024"