AFP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Turkey’s high court has frozen the accounts of the left-leaning People’s Democratic Party (HDP). These are bank accounts into which government aid is paid and which are used to finance campaigns. The decision comes five months before elections in Turkey.
HDP is Turkey’s third largest party. The constitutional court argued that the party has ties to the PKK, which is also considered a terrorist organization by the EU and the US. The money was allegedly paid by the HDP to PKK militants. The Turkish government has maintained for years that there are links between the PKK and the HDP.
According to the HDP, the allegations are not true. The party has previously denied having ties to the militants. The HDP insists it is being actively opposed by the Turkish government.
HDP would receive around €27 million in grant this year, a quarter of which would be paid this month. Every party in Turkey receives this subsidy, which is supplemented by donations. Campaigning without such revenue is virtually impossible for a party. There has also been a case since March 2021 to ban the party entirely.
