By Chris Lunday
You fought for a long time in Berlin to preserve democracy in Turkey. Now their fight ends in defeat.
The numbers leave them speechless. On a large terrace, a group of about 30 people watched on a screen how a Turkish television station showed projections of the presidential election.
The election event of the opposition party CHP takes place in Wilhelm-Kabus-Strasse in Schöneberg. Your candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu wanted to democratically remove the incumbent Erdoğan from power.
The German branch of his party has been fighting for votes in Germany since March. More than 100,000 Turkish citizens who are eligible to vote live in Berlin alone.
Kılıç (36) says that because of inflation in Turkey, a pair of Skechers sneakers now cost more than her aunt’s monthly wages Photo: Olaf Selchow
“The voices from Germany are very important,” says Demet Kılıç, Secretary General of the Berlin office. “Voters here can make the difference when the result is close.” With a CHP pin on her bright pink suit jacket, the 36-year-old quickly shows that she is party-loyal.
Despite her party affiliation, she finds it difficult to remain optimistic on this day. “The people here are very distant from the problems in Turkey, that’s why they vote for Erdoğan.” In the first round of the presidential election, Erdoğan received the most votes in any major German city.
Hardly anyone wants to comment on the results
What, in her opinion, is not taken into account in Germany: the inflation rate has been over 50 percent since February 2022. She says a pair of Skechers sneakers now cost more than her aunt’s monthly wages.
Demet Kılıç (36): “Many members will not dare to enter the country because they can be arrested” Photo: Olaf Selchow
“People here have no problem with earning their money in euros, going to Turkey and buying everything really cheaply. But things aren’t getting any better for the people there. And I find that a great pity.”
Kılıç goes from table to table over the course of the next hour. But she doesn’t talk much to the other members. Hardly anyone wants to comment on the results. She refuses to give a speech. “It’s my concern now,” she says. “Many members will not dare to enter the country because they can be arrested.”
She was once arrested in Turkey, allegedly because of her membership in the opposition, says Kılıç. She thinks that Turkish democracy is slowly disappearing with the election of Erdoğan.
“Hope dies last”
A few minutes later she goes in front of the screen with two other members. But not a word comes from her. Her party colleague thanks all members who helped out during the election campaign. The speech lasts a few minutes. There isn’t much to tell.
Barely an hour passed after the projections were announced before some young members packed up and left.
But Kılıç remains: “I want to continue, but it’s damn difficult.” Despite the defeat, she is ready to keep fighting. She wants to see change in her home country. “And yes, hope dies last,” she says, smiling.