Kurd in Turkey

DTP likely to win stronghold: "The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party, or DTP, is expected to win local elections in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır but the result is not foregone. National politics have often crowded the quality of municipal services out of the debates. Most observers believe that the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, will make a strong showing in the local elections this Sunday, but not strong enough to topple the DTP’s Osman Baydemir as mayor of Diyarbakır.

'This local election is, at the moment, between the DTP and the AKP,' said Hülya Çetin, the chair of the Diyarbakır Businesswomen’s Association. 'It is not certain the DTP will sweep these elections. Anything is possible.'

Noting that 'the DTP has won the past two local elections in the region despite the fact that local services are seriously deficient,' Çetin said that though the AKP may not win the Diyarbakır mayoral post, it will see gains in junior municipalities."