The European Syriac Union (ESU) made a written statement announcing their support for the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) for the upcoming local elections in Turkey and North Kurdistan on March 31.

ESU pointed out that the AKP-MHP government and other system parties are based on a racist, religious and statist policy rather than representing the peoples and workers and said, "Since the foundation of the Republic, peoples and progressive libertarian movements have been prevented from representing their will through heavy pressure. Conspiracy and discrimination are practiced in all areas of life and in all institutions of the state. There is no space to express one's own identity and values, and people and organizations of this nature have always been declared enemies. Election results have always been interfered with through fraud and dirty tricks, and the interests of the rulers have always been defended. Since political activities are not carried out freely and in a democratic environment, there has not been equal competition and a fair approach."

The statement pointed out that the AKP-MHP regime, using all the means of the state, directed the elections of May 14-28, 2023 as they wanted; and tried to criminalize freedom movements with terror, ugly and humiliating propaganda: "In the general and local elections held since 1999, the political activities of peoples have always been prevented. Many parties have been shut down, parliamentary proceedings have been prepared against MPs, trustees have been appointed to replace elected mayors, and the trustee system has been perpetuated since 2009 until today. As an institution of the Syriac people, we always support democratic developments and struggles. We take part in the united and common working platforms of the peoples inside and outside the country."

Pointing to the DEM Party's multi-voiced, multi-identity and democratic pluralist line, the statement emphasized that: "The struggle for the peoples to live in equality, freedom and peace gives hope and strength to our people and offers them the opportunity and ground to represent themselves. The struggle of the peoples of Mesopotamia and Anatolia for self-governance will surely succeed one day, and the mentality of war, occupation and oppression will end. Therefore, it is our common goal to put an end to the trustees through the struggle of the peoples and to ensure that cities and all settlements are governed by representatives elected by the people."

The European Syriac Union expressed their full support to the DEM Party, which, it said, leads the democratic opposition in the current process as in the past. The Union called on the Syriac people to support the DEM Party candidates in the local elections and to take part in the activities and events in the country and in the diaspora.