The Free Democratic Party (Turkish: Hür Demokrat Parti, HDP) was a centre‑right liberal political party operating in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Founding and Leadership
- Founder: İsmet Kotak
- Founded: 1990, following the 1990 parliamentary elections
Ideology and Position
- Ideology: Liberal democracy
- Political position: Centre‑right
Organisational Background
- The party emerged as the successor to the Progressive People’s Party and participated in the electoral bloc known as the Democratic Struggle Party.
- Its headquarters were located in Lefkosia (Nicosia), the capital of Northern Cyprus.
Dissolution and Legacy
- After the party was dissolved, its founder İsmet Kotak and his associates joined the Democratic Party, which succeeded the HDP as a political force in the region.
Historical Context
The Free Democratic Party was part of the broader landscape of Northern Cypriot politics during the early 1990s, representing liberal and centre‑right perspectives within a multi‑party system.
References
- “Free Democratic Party (Northern Cyprus).” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Accessed 13 April 2026.