Demirta?, a Kurdish pop-star in Turkish politics

?I don?t think my wife is too pleased with this situation,? said Selahattin Demirta?, the co-chairman of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples? Democratic Party (HDP), smiling shyly. ?I don?t think I would be pleased if she was in my shoes either.?

These remarks came in response to a question during a live interview on Turkish private broadcaster NTV about his rising popularity. Demirta? almost resembles a pop star. Before entering the studio there were groups of young men and women, mostly women, both outside and inside the building who were waiting to take ?selfies? with him. A female colleague told me that she would probably not vote for Demirta? but she definitely wanted a photo with him, as she found him ?so cute.?

Men or women, even those who are against his political views, find Demirta? sympathetic because of his always-smiling face and his mild attitude, even in the most heated debates. Many women find him handsome and charismatic.

This is not a very common situation in Turkey.

Over the last few decades, perhaps the only similar example was President Tayyip Erdo?an. I have witnessed a number of times during election rallies in conservative towns in Anatolia how covered women often shyly nudge each other with their elbows, giggling and casting their eyes toward Erdo?an as he delivered his speeches up on the podium. Tall, fair-haired, always ready for a fight, and with his wife always alongside him, Erdo?an probably symbolized for them something beyond his strong political stance.

It?s no surprise that more than 52 percent of the AK Parti?s votes come from women - the highest rate in Turkish politics so far.

Will the charm of Demirta? help the HDP attract more women?s votes in order to exceed the unfair 10...