Demirtaş said the HDP would halt the AKP dictatorship, calling for unity. He said: "We have no choice but to resist shoulder to shoulder.” He told Erdoğan: "You are just one, we are millions.” Demirtaş added that the HDP would reach everyone and at the conclusion of the elections would present the peoples with a gift of victory and peace.

The Newroz celebration in Istanbul took place in Kazlıçeşme under the slogan: "The Newroz fire in Sinjar and Kobanê is liberating the Middle East", and was attended by hundreds of thousands of people.

The celebrations were attended by HDP Istanbul Co-chairs Ayşe Erdem and Cesim Soylu and leaders of trade union federations and many political parties and fractions.

On the stage were pictures of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and leading cadre Mazlum Doğan, photographs of Turkish revolutionary leaders and pictures of YPG and YPJ fighters and internationalist fighters who have fallen in Rojava.

HDP Istanbul branch Co-chair Ayşe Erdem said: "We are saying that the Newroz flame we light here will herald new hope on the morning of 8 June with the victory of the HDP.”

Abdullah Öcalan's Newroz message was shown on the big screens and accompanied by the slogan: “Long live President Apo”.

Demirtaş: Istanbul has given Mr Öcalan’s message a warm welcome

In his speech, HDP Co-president Selahattin Demirtaş said: "Mr Öcalan’s message of peace read out yesterday at the historic Newroz in Amed got here before us. Istanbul has welcomed this message warmly. We send Newroz greetings to all those who are resisting, in the prisons and in Kobanê, and to President Apo on Imrali.”

Call for unity

Demirtaş continued, saying: “If we want to construct a new life in every corner of the country, we have no alternative but to resist. We must forge unity against those who are trying to crush us with the power of the state.”

To Erdoğan: You are one, we are millions

Demirtaş mentioned the millions of people who had attended Newroz celebrations, saying: "This has proved who wants democracy and who is clinging to dictatorship.”
Demirtaş criticised President Erdoğan for recent comments, adding: "he is one and will continue to be only one, whereas we are millions. Women, men, Turks, Kurds, Alevis, Sunnis, Armenians and Circassians. Sultan Suleiman did not inherirt the world and nor will you.”

'We will present a great victory’

Demirtaş talked about the elections, saying: "7 June is the day when our future and how our grandchildren will live in this country will be determined. Will we be in favour of a future in which we become brothers and sisters or one in which we are condemned to the dictatorship of one man? It is time to establish a peace of the oppressed. The election result will serve peace. They say they will not take any steps for democracy and peace, but there is no need to panic. Just because the government of the country does not want peace does not mean we have to want war. Even if they don’t want it we will ensure there is peace.” Demirtaş added that there would be peace despite those who were opposed to ‘the 10 points’ and to education in the mother tongue. “As we want peace and democracy more than anyone and as we are the only force capable of stopping the AKP, they will attack us. But it is necessary to respond to these attacks sensibly. Do not succumb to provocations.”

Demirtaş stressed that it was necessary to forge links with everyone, including those who had criticised the party. He said that if party workers explained the party’s policies they would gain the support of the public.

He added that the 10% threshold was no threat if there was a flood of support and that 7 June would be a declaration of victory for democracy, for the left and for the workers. He told the crowd: “The Newroz fire you have lit will bring light to the Middle East. When we assemble again in a year’s time for Newroz 2016, we will savour peace.”