麻豆社

Maria Margaronis visits a run-down district of Istanbul which has become a stronghold for the Kurdish People鈥檚 Democratic Party, seen by many as the only means of blocking Turkey鈥檚 President Tayyip Erdogan from gaining more power. The HDP counts radicals, feminists and leftists amongst its supporters as well as Kurdish nationalists who still dream of an independent state. It is hoping to garner more than 10% of the vote in Turkey鈥檚 upcoming elections on Sunday in order to stop Erdogan鈥檚 ruling Justice and Development Party from changing the constitution and giving the president more power.

The neighbourhood is made up of Kurds, Roma and Syrian refugees as well transsexuals living in the shadow of a huge development project which the government hopes will improve the area and attract investors from the Middle East.

(Photo: Women canvassing for the Kurdish People鈥檚 Democratic Party (HDP) in Istanbul. 麻豆社 copyright)