Turkey recognizes victory of pro-Kurdish mayor after protests

Supreme Electoral Council of Turkey admitted the victory of the pro-Kurdish party candidate Abdullah Zeidan, who was declared an “unelected mayor” in Van province.

Following the results of the mayoral elections that took place in Van on Sunday, March 31, Zeidan, nominated by the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), dialed 55.5% of the votes. His closest rival, Abdulahat Arwas of the president’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), received 27.2%.

However, the regional electoral council gave the mandate to Arvas. The council cited a court decision that ruled that Zeidan was not eligible to run. DEM notesthat the decision was made two days before the elections.

The annulment of Zeidan’s victory sparked mass protests in Van and other cities. The police used water cannons and tear gas against the protesters. Were detained 89 people.

DEM appealed the deprivation of Zeidan’s mandate to the Supreme Electoral Council. Seven council members voted to recognize the victory of the pro-Kurdish candidate, while four voted against. DEM published the decision of the council and the streets of Van, where Zeidan’s victory was celebrated for the second time.

According to the results of the past elections, candidates from DEM will become mayors in ten southeastern provinces, where the Kurdish minority lives compactly. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party was defeated in these elections, winning mayoral posts in only 24 out of 81 provinces. Most leadership positions went to the opposition Republican People’s Party.