JINHA

ISTANBUL – The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)'s huge Istanbul rally in Kazlıçeşme Square on Saturday seemed to provide proof that the party will pass the 10% electoral threshold in Turkey's June election.

The HDP held two massive rallies in Turkey's largest cities—Istanbul and Ankara—over the weekend. The party, running on a pro-woman, pro-worker, environmentalist and multi-identity platform, is aiming to disrupt the ruling AKP's autocratic power in Turkey by entering the Parliament for the first time.

"We're here today so that those who think we're alone can see us, so that those who ignore us can see us," said Ayşe Erdem, the HDP provincial co-chair, speaking to a crowd before introducing the Istanbul candidates.

The Istanbul rally took place just kilometers away from the ruling AKP's rally to celebrate the conquest of Istanbul by Ottoman forces, as Istanbul candidate and current MP from Iğdır province Pervin Buldan noted. "Are you ready to join hands against the sultanate and the presidency on June 7?" she asked the crowd, referring to the ruling party and its plans to implement an antidemocratic presidential political system in Turkey.

The opening speeches by the candidates led up to party general co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş taking to the stage. His wife, Başak Demirtaş, also greeted the crowd. "All the colors of Turkey have come together at Kazlıçeşme," said the party general-co-chair. "Let Turkey become like this square."

In Ankara, the party's other general co-chair, Figen Yüksekdağ, spoke to a massive rally in Ankara's Kolej Square. Thousands marched into the square, with many women wearing their traditional Kurdish dress. Representatives from the German Social Democrat Party were among the foreign guests at the rally. Figen Yüksekdağ, taking to the stage after speeches by the candidates, said that the excitement in the crowd on Saturday would be reflected in Turkey's election.

"We’re celebrating this victory early here in Ankara," she said to the crowd.

(ekip/çk/fk/nt/cm)