French Communist Party (PCF) National Secretary and Senator Pierre Laurent called for increased solidarity with the Kurds in a video message in which he congratulated the Kurdish people and HDP on the success achieved in March 31 local elections.

Senator Laurent addressed his remarks “to the Kurdish people, all HDP staff and elected representatives that achieved a great success in municipal elections”.

In his message the French politician said the following;

“You have reelected several mayors and also contributed to the defeat of Erdoğan in metropolises including Istanbul and Ankara. While women’s rights have remarkably regressed in the country under Erdoğan rule, these elections have witnessed an election of women mayors owing to you. Of the total 57 women mayors in the country, 55 of them are from the HDP. Owing to you and the responsible attitude of Selahattin Demirtaş in prison, these elections have been a slap for Erdoğan. And, this strategy has succeeded despite arrests, eliminations and atrocities. You were an example of courage and achieved this victory.”

Senator Laurent continued with the following remarks he addressed to the democratic forces in France; “The opportunity of the victory achieved by the Kurdish and Turkish democratic forces should be welcomed. Solidarity with the hunger strikers in Turkish prisons and Strasbourg activists should be increased in order to end the isolation imposed on Abdulah Öcalan and political prisoners. Let’s increase this solidarity to sustain the victory made at the municipal elections last Sunday.”