Top members of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party held pivotal discussions with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Monday, marking a significant development in ongoing peace process efforts. The meeting, held at the Turkish Parliament, came days after DEM Party representatives met imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan.
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DEM Party’s İstanbul MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Van MP Pervin Buldan, and former Mardin (Mêrdîn) co-mayor Ahmet Türk, who was replaced by a trustee, represented the party, while AKP Group Chair Abdullah Güler, Vice Chair Efkan Ala, spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and Deputy Chair Özlem Zengin led the AKP delegation.
Describing the 80-minute dialogue, Güler said, “We had a sincere and positive discussion, shared our perspectives, and conveyed our thoughts. Further details will be announced in due course.”
Buldan briefly commented on the process before the meeting, stating, “It’s going well, not bad,” reflecting guarded optimism. However, DEM Party members refrained from issuing a formal statement afterwards.
Earlier in the day, the DEM Party delegation met with Future Party leader and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, sharing insights on past experiences and future prospects. “We discussed lessons learned and how to navigate this sensitive period constructively. Their advice and criticisms were invaluable,” Önder noted.
Davutoğlu praised the DEM Party team’s expertise, emphasising the importance of democratic inclusivity. “Turkey must fortify its internal structure through justice and hope for all its citizens. The process requires calm, resilience, and commitment to democratic principles,” he said.
The DEM Party delegation also visited the Felicity Party, where its leader Mahmut Arıkan commended their efforts. “This is a critical juncture. We shared both concerns and support, aiming to contribute constructively to this historic process,” he said. Önder reiterated the DEM Party’s commitment to peace, adding, “There’s no greater goal than achieving peace and solidarity in this country.”
The meetings come in the wake of a controversial statement by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, who had proposed lifting Öcalan’s isolation if he publicly denounced PKK violence and supported the group’s dissolution. Öcalan, after meeting DEM Party representatives, expressed readiness to make a “positive call”.
While AKP officials echoed the importance of stability, critics questioned whether these talks could yield tangible results in Turkey’s polarised political landscape. With public and political pressure mounting, the road ahead remains fraught but potentially transformative.
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