The second largest group in the European Parliament (EP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) issued a statement on the AKP’s arbitrary interventions in the results of the local elections in Turkey.

S&D Group MEP and EU Rapporteur for Turkey Kati Piri said the following in the written statement she penned in the name of the group:

“THE EVENTS ARE FAR REMOVED FROM DEMOCRACY”

“It seems that the election results are only recognized when the desired candidate wins. Not only is the CHP candidate winning the Istanbul Mayoral race questioned by the governing AKP, but the HDP’s mayor-elects are now being deprived of their mandates and the mayorship is given to candidates from other parties who came in second in the elections. How is it possible that the Supreme Board of Elections approved these persons as candidates first, and then choose another candidate when they are elected?

This is far removed from democracy and respecting election results. The S&D Group demands that all mayors-elect be given their mandates.

“IT WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR EU-TURKEY RELATIONS”

The European Parliament accepted a resolution last month to officially suspend the accession negotiations with Turkey due to observed regression in the rule of law. The preliminary results of these elections where more than one party were able to win municipalities in various regions throughout the country showed that Turkish democracy was still alive, which we were glad for. But if Turkish authorities arbitrarily start removing mayors from office or refuse to recognize the results where opposition parties win, this will have consequences for EU-Turkey relations.”