The European Green Party Co-Chair Mélanie Vogel and Green Left Party Executive Member Ahmet Asena held a press conference in Istanbul to evaluate the 14 May elections.

Green Left Party Istanbul Provincial Co-Chairs Beser Çelik and Mevlud Ustabaş, Greens Co-Spokespersons Özlem Teke and Koray Doğan Urbarlı attended the press conference held in the Cezayir Meeting Hall.

European Green Party Co-Chair Vogel underlined that the elections in Turkey were also important for Europe. She said: “People from different ideological backgrounds and platforms came together for the elections. They came together because they knew that the main purpose was democracy. In this sense, we saw very strong opposition in this election. The opposition wants to protect the country from all kinds of hatred.”

Vogel pointed out that the electoral turnout was high, unlike in European countries. She added: “There is fear and sadness. However, post-election Turkey has not been shaped yet. As the European Greens, we will always stand by you. Cross-border solidarity is needed.”

Green Left Party Executive Member Asena pointed out that although the electoral turnout was high, many did not go to the polls.

Asena said: “Before the elections, some young voters said they would not go to the polls. It is important to urge these voters to go to the polls in the second round of presidential elections. Democratization of Turkey is important. There are 15 days until the runoff election. In this sense, we must work harder.”

Green Party Co-Spokesperson Özlem Teke underlined that it was not easy to reverse the oppressive policies in Turkey. She said: “We should not get desperate. We will renew ourselves; we will renew ourselves better. We are not hopeless and intimidated.”