Kurdish tribal leader diverts support from AKP to CHP
March 29, 2023, 1:16 pm

Kurdish tribal leader diverts support from AKP to CHP

Both the main opposition CHP and the nationalist Good Party are engaged in efforts to build up support in Kurdish-majority provinces dominated by the pro-Kurdish HDP or ruling AKP.

A Kurdish tribal leader in Turkey's southeastern province of Van diverted his earlier support for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the opposition as he recently applied to be a parliamentary candidate for the Republican People's Party (CHP).

Iskender Ertus, the leader of the Serefan tribe that is part of the Ertoshi tribes, had joined CHP in mid January.

He had expressed support in the course of the 2018 elections for AKP, and the leaders of the tribe had previously backed the center right True Path Party (DYP), then the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) that evolved into the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in 2012.

The leaders of the Serefan tribe are believed to have a notable influence on thousands of families in the region.

CHP leadership is engaged in efforts to build up support in Kurdish-majority provinces that are politically dominated by HDP and AKP.

CHP had received only 2.6% of the votes in Van in 2018, and 1.9& in 2015. In the neighboring Hakkari and Sirnak, it had received respectively 3.5% and 2.7% in 2018, and 1.6% and 1.5 in 2015.

In a similar move, the leader of nationalist opposition Good Party had visited the leader of Kurdish Bucak tribe in an apparent effort to win his support back in mid September.

Sedat Bucak and his private army of armed guards were part of the state's operations to combat Kurdistan Workers' party (PKK) and crush the Kurdish opposition during the 1990s. He survived the 1996 Susurluk car crash which led to the "Susurluk scandal" over links between the police, politicians, mafia and Grey Wolves.

Green Left Party aims to get 20% vote in upcoming elections

The Green Left Party aims to win 20% of the vote and defeat the AKP-MHP government in the upcoming elections, said Ayse Erdem, a member of the party's Central Executive Committee. The party's campaign slogan will be "We will defeat fascism."

The Green Left Party has set a target to gain 20% of the vote and defeat the ruling government, according to Ayse Erdem, a member of the party's central executive committee.

The Green Left Party is the sister party of the pro-Kurdish HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) under which HDP will compete because of the risk posed by a possible court ban on the party before the elections.

Speaking to the press, Erdem highlighted the party's mission to build a strong organizational structure and create a parliamentary system that will pave the way for a democratic republic. She also emphasized the importance of engaging with voters on a grassroots level, stating that the party would be conducting outreach activities in streets and neighborhoods.

Erdem went on to stress that the party aims to play a crucial role not only before but also after the election. The party plans to collaborate with the Nation Alliance to work towards a new democratic constitution that will bring an end to the current government.

However, she also underlined that the party has the power to change the government on its own, and thus, it can be a key player in the upcoming election.

When asked about the party's election slogan, Erdem revealed that it would be "We will defeat fascism." The slogan is set to be unveiled along with the party's election manifesto on March 30.

BY: gerceknews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.