* Photograph: HDP
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The İstanbul Provincial Organization of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) held a statement for the press regarding the appointment of trustees to its Metropolitan Municipalities of Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin today (August 20).
The statement for the press was attended by HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan as well as HDP MPs Musa piroğlu, Filiz Kerestecioğlu, Erol Katırcıoğlu, Oya Ersoy, Züleyha Gülüm and Ahmet Şık.
Starting her speech by extending her apologies to the people of Van, Diyarbakır and Mardin for not being there with them due to her condition of health, Buldan stated the following in brief:
'Appointing trustees is a political coup'
"In the morning of August 19, we once again opened our eyes to a political coup. On July 15, Turkey was again shaken by a military coup.
"As we have always said, we again said that the ones who came into office with an election should also leave office with an election. However, in these recent years, when the end of the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] is imminent, Turkey has faced civilian coups.
"After the coup, trustees were appointed to our municipalities and our people gave their answer to the AKP in March 31 [local] elections: 'We do not recognize your mindset of trustees.'
"Going to the ballot box, people laid claim to their votes and will.
'Trustees have left trillions of debt'
"For the last four and a half months, our municipalities have been trying to clean the mess that was left behind by trustees. Every single one of them has left trillions of unpaid debt.
"The ones involved in theft, corruption, bid rigging and all types of disgraceful offenses have been once again sent by the AKP to replace our mayors.
"We do not accept the mentality of trustees, we are ready to display our all types of reactions against this mentality of trustees and we will do so.
'They are taking revenge for İstanbul'
"Especially in June 23 [İstanbul repeat] elections, we showed an important togetherness for the democracy and future of Turkey.
"We stood in unity and solidarity for the future of Turkey. This unity and solidarity has come through. The ones who have lost İstanbul has once again put forward the mentality of trustees to take revenge.
'Turkey will face a test of democracy'
"If we managed to take İstanbul on June 23, then we can also manage to take Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin from trustees.
"However, we have to walk shoulder to shoulder to do it. Turkey will face a test of democracy today.
Call to parties except for AKP and MHP
"My call is especially to Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and all political parties at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), except for the AKP and MHP.
"It is our call to everyone including the political parties outside the Parliament, democratic mass organizations and defenders of democracy: We have to pass this test together.
"What is done to us will, of course, be done to you tomorrow. If we cannot stop the course of events now, everyone will be a part of this circle tomorrow.
'Break your silence'
"If we cannot have this test of democracy together today, it will be your turn tomorrow. I am making a call all conscientious people in Turkey.
"I am making a call to especially Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and all political parties: Break your silence.
"You must definitely have a word to say. With that word of yours, we can turn the future and tomorrows of Turkey, the future of our children into good days." (RT/SD)
