Hdp Vows Kurdish Movement Will Move Forward With 'Politics And Peace'

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) kicked off its election campaign on Oct. 2, unveiling its new slogan "With purpose, peace. With purpose, HDP."

"I can only thank those who exerted positive efforts for the benefit of the people, and who placed stone on stone going forward. But from now on we'll go on our way with the HDP" HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş said at the launch.

"Yes, the regime will change: We'll build a regime of justice. We must carry on the path with politics, with wisdom, and with peace. As [Mahatma] Gandhi said: Destroy injustice with justice and stand to applaud with bloodless hands" Demirtaş added.

He also likened a Turkey without the HDP to a "ship drifting to dangerous waters."

"Today, if the ship is not sinking despite all attacks, this is thanks to the balance provided by the HDP" Demirtaş stated.

The HDP co-chair again vowed to cross the 10 percent election threshold in the snap poll to be held Nov. 1.

"They said we would be below the threshold [in the last election in June]. But we'll bury the palace [presidency] under peace" Demirtaş said.

At the same event, HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ also voiced the slogan, "We'll not let you be dictator," in reference to the party's June 7 election campaign motto, "We'll not let you be president" addressing President Tayyip Erdoğan's ambition to change Turkey to an executive presidential system.

Yüksekdağ said the Justice and Development Party (AKP) first came to power through elections, but now does not want to leave power through elections.

"Instead, those who came to power through elections now want to come to power again through war" she added.

(Photo) - Ankara