Russian researchers stated that Kurds in Turkey have initiated the AKP’s decline and emphasized the importance of an HDP success in the June 7 General Elections.

ANF discussed the elections with Russian political scientist Prof. Zaharov Vlademir, Russia Strategic Research and Development Center representative Tiratimçuk Grigori Pavloviç and Middle Eastern States Research Institute president Stanislav Tarasov:

VLADEMİR: ELECTIONS HAVE GREAT SIGNIFICANCE FOR TURKEY AND KURDS

Prof. Zaharov Vlademir: The upcoming elections have great significance for Turkey and the Kurds. We have been following the election campaigns and observed the importance of Kurds’ representation in the Turkish parliament. Kurds are in politics with their own identity and have made significant organizational progress. Some people underestimate Kurds’ ability to mobilize and argue that non-Kurds can do a better job at governing Kurdish people. This is inaccurate and the Kurdish people I’ve met during my research are all talented and capable. I believe in Kurds’ ability to overcome the election threshold and represent both themselves and Turkey at large. Many different ethnic groups live in Turkey and Kurds have paved the way for democratization for all Turkish citizens. They have been politically active not only in Turkey but also here in Russia. Like many Russians, I believe in Kurds’ power to bring change and support their struggle.

PAVLOVİÇ: KURDS ARE GETTING STRONGER

Tiratimçuk Grigori Pavloviç: The upcoming elections are crucial not only for Turkey but for the Middle East at large and the Kurds in particular. Kurds have become an active political force and I believe that they will benefit greatly from the upcoming elections. Middle East is in turmoil and Kurds are the group with the most clear stance and perspective. Kurds’ union will bring important political gains and the empowerment of Kurds in Turkey is crucial in this regard. Kurds’ current political perspective is important and should be understood by Turkish and other Middle Eastern peoples. As Kurds articulate themselves, they receive more support not only in the Middle East but also in other parts of the world. This support has a positive impact upon Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s image and will aid Kurds before the upcoming historic elections. If Turkey and other Middle Eastern states do not resolve the current issues in the Middle East, they will end up in the trash box of history! All political forces should take responsibility and work towards ending this chaos. If Kurdish people and parliamentarians have a serious plan for ending this chaos, I am sure that international actors will give them the support they need. Kurdish politicians who will get elected into parliament have the responsibility of representing not only the Kurds but all Middle Eastern peoples. The Turkish state will benefit from Kurdish political projects because Turkey is in dire need of peace and democracy. If Turkey does not reduce tensions in the region, the US will pull Turkey into a spiral of war and conflict. Turkish officials see this and must approach Kurds more positively as they are the only force that can seriously fight against ISIS in the region. If Turks do not change their current political position, they will be in a tough spot. If they favor democratization and restructure their relations accordingly, the region will be more stable.

TARASOV: KURDS HAVE INITIATED AKP’S DECLINE

Stanislav Tarasov: Everybody knows that an AKP electoral success will bring the transition from a parliamentarian system to a presidential regime. This means totalitarian Erdoğan rule and other parties campaign around the importance of the parliamentarian regime. Kurds have initiated AKP’s decline and will have a great impact through the Turkish parliament. I say this because there is the possibility of a coalition government in which Kurds will have a fundamental role. Kurds used to vote for AKP in masses but today there is a significant decline in the support for AKP among Kurdish voters because they are disillusioned by AKP’s inability to meet their expectations.