Under the leadership of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the Social Freedom Party (TÖP), the Labor Movement Party (EHP), the Socialist Assemblies Federation (SMF), the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) and the Labor Party (EMEP) met at TİP Istanbul Provincial Presidency in Kadıköy on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by HDP co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, as well as deputy co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan, EMEP chair Ercüment Akdeniz and deputy chair Selma Gürkan, TİP chair Erkan Baş, TYP spokesperson Sera Kadıgil and deputy chair Doğan Ergün, SMF spokesperson Barış Kayaoğlu and Central Executive Board (MYK) members Mahir Gürz, Erdal Ataş, PEP spokesperson Perihan Koca, spokespersons Board Pelin Kahiloğulları and Tamer Doğan and EHP spokesperson Özge Akman Central Committee member Hakan Öztürk.

Together to bring about change

In the written statement published after the meeting, the 6 parties said that the name of the alliance and the road map were discussed. The statement said: “We met in Istanbul on 25 August to stress once again that this unity will create a change on the basis of equality, freedom, fraternity, peace and democracy in our country today and tomorrow, will strengthen the political and social will, and will shape our march that raises our determined stance, struggle, solidarity and hope.”.

Roadmap to be announced in September

The statement added: "We have come to the final stage of our work to increase the struggle in all areas in Turkey's cities, streets and squares, fields and factories, schools and universities. We have worked to unite the demands and struggles of workers, women, youth, farmers and producers. In the face of the economic, social and political crisis we are experiencing and which is deepening with every passing day, we have decided to share with the public the struggle principles, the political program framework, the roadmap that we have agreed on and that will cover the period before and after the elections. We will announce the roadmap of this alliance, which will unite the struggle for change on the basis of social justice, equality and strong democracy in September.”

A common struggle

The statement continued: “We are aware of our historical responsibility and are determined to act accordingly. Our alliance is made up of those who resist the anti-people policies of the AKP-MHP government. This alliance will grow with the participation, contribution and support of all segments, political and social opposition forces who want to hold those responsible accountable. Our alliance will work for a strong democracy based on popular sovereignty, for a peaceful and democratic solution to the Kurdish question, for the equality and freedom of women, youth and disadvantaged groups. We will fight together for the protection of nature and our cultural assets.”

Call to all sections of society

The statement ended with a call to “all workers, all social movements, institutions, organizations and citizens who are fighting for democracy, rights, law, freedom and equality. Let's take responsibility together. Let's rebuild this country which has been brought on the verge of collapse [by the AKP-MHP alliance] in a free and democratic way with common demands and understanding of struggle. Let’s do it together. We know that establishing a social and political order dominated by the people, on the basis of the values ​​of labor, peace, freedom and democracy, is possible with the power of all oppressed and exploited sections of society. Together we will succeed against the one-man rule, the order of capital and oppression.”