Mehmet Ali Aslan
| Mehmet Ali Aslan MP | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Grand National Assembly | |
|
Assumed office 7 June 2015 | |
| Constituency |
Mardin (June 2015 Batman (November 2015) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1975 Silvan, Diyarbakır Province, Turkey |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party (HDP) |
| Profession | Sports teacher |
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, Mardin Province. 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). Placed 4th representing Mardin, Aslan was elected to become the first Mhallami member of the Turkish Parliament.[2] When during his oath of office, he committed 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."[3]
In the November snap election, he was placed 2nd on the HDP's list in the neighboring Batman province and was subsequently reelected to parliament.[4]
References
- ↑ "HDP tops minority candidates list as ethnically diverse apply to be deputies". Today's Zaman. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "A more colourful parliament". Agos. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "Kurdish MP gives stunning response to 'accusations' over his Armenia roots". Armenia News. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
- ↑ "Minority MPs preserve seats in Nov 1 election". Hürriyet Daily News. 2 November 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.