Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, has pledged to expand political alliances and deepen the struggle for democracy, describing the current political moment as an opportunity to end decades of conflict and inequality in Turkey and the Middle East.
Speaking on Saturday at the Green Left Party’s (YSP) congress in Ankara, Bakırhan called for “a stronger joint struggle” to defend peace and democratic values, warning against rising militarism and deepening crises across the region. “We will broaden our alliances for peace. We will fight more powerfully for democracy,” he said.
The two-day congress, held under the slogan “Joint Struggle for Peace and Democracy”, brought together representatives from the DEM Party, civil society organisations and other political actors. A large banner featuring late politician and İmralı delegation member Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who died on 3 May, hung above the stage.
Bakırhan’s remarks placed Turkey’s current political landscape within a broader global context. He described a “historic new period” marked by the collapse of neoliberal models and a global turn toward war and conflict, particularly in the Middle East. “The weight of war is centred in the Middle East,” he said, adding that powerful actors see crisis and conflict as solutions to systemic problems.
Referring to jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan, Bakırhan said: “Mr Öcalan recently spoke of ‘democratic communal socialism’. We will renew ourselves with this vision.” While distancing himself from violent methods, Bakırhan emphasised the need to defend “honourable peace” and build a pluralistic, democratic society.
He also pointed to what he described as a meaningful shift within Turkey, arguing that a political opening has emerged for resolving the country’s long-running Kurdish conflict. “This is not just a process for the Kurds — it is a struggle for rights and democratic values for all 85 million people in Turkey,” he said.
Bakırhan strongly rejected accusations that Kurdish political movements pursue narrow or self-serving agendas. “Kurdish people never bargain away the rights of the oppressed for personal gain,” he said. “Our aim is a democratic, egalitarian and just order.”
Framing the current phase as a collective responsibility, Bakırhan concluded by calling for broader participation in the struggle for rights. “It is our duty to own this process. It is not a time for debate — it is a time to close ranks and grow the joint struggle,” he said.
