Will Bahceli's Initiative Lead Türkiye Towards a Comprehensive Solution to the Kurdish Issue?
In a significant political shift, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has initiated a campaign aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This initiative, which began with Bahceli's handshake with members of the Peoples' Democracy and Equality Party (HDP), marks a potential turning point in Turkish politics.
Bahceli's recent announcement in the Turkish parliament suggested that Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, could be allowed to attend parliamentary sessions, pending the lifting of his isolation. Bahceli proposed that Ocalan might publicly declare an end to
terrorism
the dissolution of the PKK, and the surrender of weapons in exchange for measures that would offer him a 'right to hope'—a term indicating a potential path to freedom after serving part of his life sentence.
This initiative has received mixed reactions. While HDP co-leader Tulay Hatemogulları welcomed the developments, emphasizing the party's readiness to pursue a peaceful resolution, opposition leaders expressed skepticism. Mevsev Dervişoğlu, leader of the Good Party, criticized Bahceli's move as a political maneuver aimed at broader goals, including a new constitution to benefit Erdogan's presidency.
The political landscape has become increasingly complex, particularly following a recent attack linked to the PKK that resulted in five deaths in Ankara. This incident has led to further scrutiny of Bahceli's initiative, with some viewing it as a response to external pressures and internal political dynamics.
Experts like Mahmoud Alloush suggest that the PKK is currently in a weakened position, which may provide a unique opportunity for peace talks. However, the success of Bahceli's initiative hinges on local and international conditions, as well as ongoing negotiations that are expected to unfold over the coming months. Ahmed Hassan, a Turkish journalist, notes that the coming months will be crucial for the resolution process, as both public and secret negotiations are anticipated to take place, with significant developments expected by March 2025.
