Mehmet Ali Aslan Explained

Mehmet Ali Aslan
Term Start:7 June 2015
Constituency:Mardin (June 2015
Batman (November 2015)
Birth Date:1975
Birth Place:Silvan, Diyarbakır Province, Turkey
Party:People's Democratic Party (HDP)
Profession:Sports teacher
Termend:23 June 2018

Mehmet Ali Aslan (born 1975 in Silvan, Diyarbakır Province, Turkey) is a Turkish politician of Mhallami descent and the founding chairman of the ethnic group's first organization, the Mhallami Association.[1]

Born in Silvan, Diyarbakır Province, Aslan grew up in Mercimekli in Midyat. Since 2002, he has been working as a sports teacher in Midyat.

Aslan contested the June 2015 general election as a list candidate for the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).[2] Placed 4th representing Mardin, Aslan was elected to become the first Mhallami member of the Turkish Parliament.[3] As he committed his oath of office to the "peoples of Turkey" rather than "the Turkish people," he was called out for allegedly having Armenian roots. Aslan however denied "any connection with Armenians. If I had, I would be proud of it."[4]

In the November snap election, he was placed 2nd on the HDP's list in the neighboring Batman province and was reelected to parliament.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HDP tops minority candidates list as ethnically diverse apply to be deputies . . 9 March 2015 . 3 November 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152907/http://www.todayszaman.com/anasayfa_hdp-tops-minority-candidates-list-as-ethnically-diverse-apply-to-be-deputies_374762.html . 22 December 2015 . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: Mardin Seçim Sonuçları - 7 Haziran 2015 Genel Seçimleri SABAH. www.sabah.com.tr. 2020-01-12.
  3. Web site: A more colourful parliament . . 8 June 2015 . 3 November 2015.
  4. Web site: Kurdish MP gives stunning response to 'accusations' over his Armenia roots . Armenia News . 1 July 2015 . 3 November 2015.
  5. Web site: 1 Kasım 2015 Batman Genel Seçim Sonuçları. www.haberturk.com. 2020-01-12.