Kezban Konukçu Kok, one of the candidates of the Green Left Party for Istanbul, stated that they were working to ensure broad representation in the Parliament as well as defeating the current government. "We are coming to change and establish a country in which we can live together," she said.

Kok ranks first in the candidate list of the Green Left Party for Istanbul-1st Region. After working as a teacher for 19 years, she was dismissed by a governmental decree during the state of emergency. She also worked as a journalist for a while. Kok later continued to work as a teacher but was dismissed by a governmental decree in 2017. She focused on the labour struggle after her dismissal, worked as an executive in the Revolutionary Tourism Workers Union affiliated with DİSK and spokesperson for the Socialist Solidarity Platform. Kok spoke to ANF about the goals and campaign of the Green Left Party in Istanbul.

THE GREEN LEFT OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE

Kok said: “As the palace regime raised itself, we were the most important political subject to be targeted by it. It was the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). Since then, we have been trying to carry out our political activities under major repression. Attacks on our election campaign offices have already started.”

Kok pointed out that the Green Left Party offered an alternative to voters apart from the other two alliances. She continued: “Of course, we can make some political choices to clear our way. For example, we did not nominate a presidential candidate. We know very well that we must have a broad representation in the Parliament in order to promote the option of revolutionary democracy.”

PEOPLE EMBRACE THE GREEN LEFT PARTY

Kok stressed that voters already embraced her party in Istanbul, adding that contrary to the estimations, voters in Istanbul did not regard the Green Left Party and its deputy candidates as strangers. She added: “Wherever we go, we are welcomed enthusiastically. Our party comes from a very serious organizational tradition. We trust in ourselves. We will achieve success by working hard until the elections on May 14.”

WE WILL GET STRENGTH FROM YOUTH

Kok pointed out that young people needed rational and logical solutions because they faced many problems. She continued: “We want to introduce a model through which young people become subjects and articulate their demands with their own organization. This is the logic of decentralization in management. In this sense, we will maintain contact with the youth with our solutions against unemployment and environmentally friendly ecological solutions which they really care about. We think that we will gain strength from the youth as well.”

THE ORGANIZED POWER OF WOMEN

Kok stated that they are against the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. She added that women do not feel secure, and this problem is experienced mostly by women who are from lower classes in society. “For women, there is a very serious problem with security of life. In fact, it is through our struggle that this has become more visible to women. The increase in femicides is because women no longer accept their submission as they used to. They want to shape their own lives and struggle. Femicides are increasing because the male-dominated mentality confronts women’s challenge. Our party already has very serious campaigns against femicides. Considering the originality and independence of women's struggle, we attach importance to more independent organizations. We trust in women's struggle and the organized power of women.”

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT LOSE

The YPS candidate concluded: “Our first goal is to make the palace regime lose in the upcoming elections. But this is not enough. We are coming to change and establish a country in which we can live together. We want to win at least 20 deputies. We believe that we can do it because our roots and tradition are very strong.”