Van (Wan) is one of the important cities of Kurdistan. It has a population of up to 1.5 million and at least 700 thousand voters. Van elects 8 deputies and it is already preparing for the 14 May elections. The people of Ban give great support to the Green Left Party, which aims to win all 8 deputies of the constituency.

Peoples' Democratic Party Van Provincial co-chair Handan Karakoyun said that the people are already in an election mood and atmosphere. Karakoyun said that they would enter the elections with the Green Party and added: "We have a very heavy election agenda. We are carrying out important work with our female friends and women's institutions and organizations in Van. On the one hand, we organize family visits. On the other hand, we hold women's meetings. Election offices in the center and districts of Van were opened with a warm participation of the people. The people of Van is the Kurdistan city where the current government has imposed the most pressure. They have appointed trustees and usurped the will of the people for two consecutive terms, dismissing many people. It is because of his mentality and rhetoric that you can only find a living space and work here if you are an AKP member… People feel anger against both the war policies and the isolation policies.”

The people want to see Abdullah Öcalan's free

Karakoyun said: “We are experiencing many legal problems in our party work. Despite all the obstacles, there is an atmosphere and a working integrity in which the people favor, support, participate and declare their will. Despite all the negative things, we showed the will of the people in Newroz, and demanded freedom for Abdullah Öcalan at every opportunity. We stood firm against the war and oppression policies of the government. This election is a historic one. In order for fascism to be defeated, each of us should do his/her part. We are entering this election with the Green Left Party.”

Ceyda Dindar: This election will determine the fate of our women

Ceyda Dindar, Van Branch executive of the Association for Assistance, Solidarity and Culture with Families Losing Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations (MEBYA-DER), said that they are preparing for this election.

Noting that the 14 May general elections will determine the fate of Turkey, Dindar said: “It is an election that will determine the fate of our women in particular. As women, we will be everywhere with our language, identity and color. We believe that women can lead our people to victory. We believe we can get rid of this government. This government withdrew from the Istanbul Convention. Femicides and suicides have increased in Turkey recently. With the abolition of the Istanbul Convention, a situation has been created in Turkey where women have no right to speak and are ignored. But women exist in every field, women are life itself and we will continue to exist.”

Dindar continued: "We have an election process ahead of us. We will go from street to street, neighbourhood to neighbourhood, house to house in the city of Van, and together with our women, we will get rid of the AKP-MHP fascist bloc. As MEBYA-DER, we must say stop to war policies. We believe that in the 14 May elections, Kurdish people and women will rebuild Turkey with our color and the democracy we believe in. We believe that all our people will stand up and respond to the current government in this election."