Turkey election: Turkish-Australians hope vote delivers stability

Turkish-Australians say they hope this weekend's vote in Turkey provides political stability and contributes to the peace process.

Supporters listen to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a rally of his Justice and Development Party, or AKP

Supporters listen to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a rally of his Justice and Development Party, or AKP Source: AAP

Turkish-Australian Burcak Gurun Muraben said she is concerned about events in her birth country.

"I would like Turkey to be a more pluralist, more democratic country with no violence," she said.

Ms Muraben voted in favour of the People's Democratic Party, the HDP.

"I really trust them to go ahead with the Kurdish peace process which I think is a huge issue for Turkey," she said.
Others in Australia's Turkish community are also hoping the election will deliver some stability.

"I do hope this election can run smoothly without any suggestion of corruption," said Ertunc Oze, the chief executive of the Australian Turkish Advocacy Alliance.

"It's our sincere wish that as a result of this election there's another stable government in Turkey."

But with renewed conflict in the country's south-east, that is not possible according to representatives of Australia's Kurdish community.

"This is one of the most unfair and undemocratic election campaigns in Turkey," said Mahmut Kahraman from the Kurdish Association of Victoria.

"Over 1500 people so far lost their lives including Kurdish civilians and Turkish soldiers and police."

Others suggest greater accountability will only come if President Erdogan's main secularist opposition, the CHP is elected.

"We'd like to see a Turkey who preserves their roots in the region and helps their neighbours," said Turkish Australian Cem Celik.

"As well as a Turkey who is facing towards the European Union."


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By Hannah Sinclair


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Turkey election: Turkish-Australians hope vote delivers stability | SBS News