The Constitutional Court (AYM) on Thursday unanimously rejected the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (HDP) application to adjourn the closure case until after the elections.

HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar announced on 16 January that the party lodged an application to AYM for adjournment of the closure case against the party.

In the application, HDP also demanded that the date when the party is expected to present its defence against the recent ruling to block the party’s Treasury accounts be put forward, citing that the 30-day period was insufficient to prepare a defence.

The court rejected the party’s request for an extension of two months and decided to give the party an additional period of 15 days for its defence. HDP will present its defence for the Treasury accounts case to the court on 14 March.

In June 2021, AYM accepted an indictment that demands the closure of the HDP and a political ban for almost 500 HDP members.

As part of the ongoing closure case, AYM ruled on 5 January to temporarily block the HDP’s accounts. With this ruling, HDP will not be able to access the Treasury funds it was due for 2023.

A possible decision to shut down the HDP ahead of upcoming elections, which will be held on 14 May, could have a profound effect on Turkey’s political landscape since it is the third-largest party of the parliament and Kurdish votes are expected to play a vital role in the elections.