Following the Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) drop in votes in the Nov. 1 elections, squeaking over the 10 percent election threshold, the party has announced it will hold an ordinary party congress on Jan. 17, 2016. While it is unknown whether HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdag will maintain their positions, the party will organize a party conference with high participation of party members. The HDP's party council recently said "the results [of the elections] cannot be evaluated as a failure," and further discussed reasons for the loss of support, future of the reconciliation process, changing party policies, new period in assembly and relationship with the PKK terrorist organization.

Although there have been no certain statements regarding Demirtaş's candidacy for party chair, it is unlikely for him to become a candidate due to the HDP's two-term policy in the party constitution. In addition, Yüksekdağ indicated that "the new term will be a new process of struggle for the party," as the HDP lost nearly 30 deputies in Parliament.