Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation urged a parliamentary-led process for addressing Turkey’s political and social divisions following their historic meeting with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan. The delegation, comprising MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, and Ahmet Türk, met with the Republican People’s Party (CHP) on Tuesday in Ankara as part of their cross-party dialogue.
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The 90-minute meeting focused on ensuring broader societal involvement in resolving Turkey’s conflict with the PKK.
CHP leader Özgür Özel underscored his party’s commitment to parliamentary oversight. “Our historical consistency remains firm—this process must proceed under the leadership, scrutiny, and legitimacy of Parliament,” he said. “We conveyed our openness to forming a robust, inclusive parliamentary commission to guide this effort. This is not just about peace, but ensuring every segment of society feels represented, particularly sensitive groups like the families of martyrs and veterans. Their concerns must not be overlooked.”
Sırrı Süreyya Önder, speaking on behalf of the DEM Party, emphasised the inclusive nature of the process. “Objections and concerns are as meaningful to us as support, perhaps even more so,” he said. “This is not a narrow political manoeuvre—it is about securing a future for all of society. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to create a country together.”
The DEM Party delegation has held multiple meetings with political parties since visiting Öcalan on 28 December. The visit followed Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli’s earlier remarks suggesting Öcalan’s isolation be lifted if he publicly calls for the PKK’s dissolution and peace. Öcalan responded positively, stating he was “ready to take the necessary steps and make the call”.
DEM Party has further meetings scheduled with the Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party and the New Welfare Party (YRP), later in the day.
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