Dear John,

We are writing you with an update on the recent Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Turkey, which our European Green mission closely observed.

Threats to Transparency and Democracy

The situation on the ground has revealed concerning developments that threaten the transparency of the electoral process, freedom of expression, and the integrity of democracy itself.

As you may be aware, Turkey has been under the increasingly authoritarian rule of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the past 20 years. Throughout this period, Erdoğan's government has actively suppressed political opponents, curtailed freedom of the press, and eroded the rights of various groups, including academics, journalists, minorities, women and the LGBTI community. The inflation crisis and collapsing currency have also caused great concern among people in Turkey.

Green Party's Crucial Role in the Opposition

Our member party, Yeşil Sol, has played a crucial role as one of the main components of the opposition. They have steadfastly stood for minority rights, democracy, and social justice, representing the voices of those marginalised under Erdoğan's regime.

Despite the very difficult conditions for conducting an election campaign, 61 candidates from Yeşil Sol were elected to Turkey's Grand National Assembly on 14 May. Their voice in Turkey is more important than ever.

Click on the image or here to read our thread about the Turkish elections.

Reports Highlighting Challenges

Recent reports from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe have shed light on these issues. The joint report highlights the criminalisation of political forces in the democratic opposition, detention of opposition politicians, prosecutions and arrests of journalists, misuse of public resources, blocking and removal of online content, and biased media coverage.

We strongly encourage you to read the report for more detailed insights into the challenges faced during the elections.

Alarming Incidents on Election Day

Furthermore, alarming incidents occurred on election day itself. Intimidation of voters by the army in Kurdish-majority areas, obstruction of election observers, deliberate efforts to delay the vote counting process, and indications of systematic voting fraud have been reported.

Our Green partners in Turkey, particularly Yeşil Sol, were specifically targeted, with significant numbers of their votes being misattributed by the ruling coalition's far-right partner, MHP.

Suppression of Free Expression on Social Media

The situation has been further exacerbated by the suppression of free expression by social media platforms. Twitter, upon the Turkish government's request, blocked several accounts, actively limiting the voices of Turkish citizens. Such actions erode the democratic principles of open dialogue and inclusive participation.

“Erdoğan and his allies, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party, MHP, operate through the systemic silencing of dissent.”

– Mina Jack Tolu for Times Malta

Read Mina Jack's report

We Stand in Solidarity for Democratic Change!

In light of these developments, it is crucial that we stand in solidarity with the citizens and political parties in Turkey who are seeking democratic change. We call upon the Turkish authorities to refrain from interfering in the election process and commit to ensuring free and fair elections. The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, but we must not give in to pessimism or despair.

We, as the European Greens, will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground and support our Green partners in Turkey. It is evident that a large-scale mobilisation will be necessary to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming second round of the Presidential election on 28 May.

Hope and Determination in Challenging Times

Co-spokesperson of Yeşil Sol, Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, has expressed the importance of maintaining hope and determination in their efforts to bring an end to Erdoğan's regime. We must stand by their side during this hopeful yet challenging path.

Let us join forces to ensure that the principles of democracy, transparency, and freedom are upheld in Turkey and around the world. Together, we can write a new chapter for Turkey and the rest of Europe.

In solidarity,

Mélanie Vogel & Mina Jack Tolu