Turkey’s far-right ruling partner Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli addressed his party’s group meeting on Tuesday, condemning the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party for exploiting Kurdish communities and forcing children into militant groups. He also highlighted expectations of direct talks between the DEM Party and İmrali Island Prison, where the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan is imprisoned, underscoring Turkey’s firm stance on combating terrorism while maintaining political stability.
Bahçeli criticised political factions for playing with Turkey’s unity, likening them to “pied pipers leading people astray”. He urged all parties to either denounce terrorism or face condemnation for supporting it, adding, “Turkey cannot endure another period of chaos.”
The MHP leader reiterated his party’s commitment to its policies, stating, “We stand by every word from our group meetings. Dialogue between İmrali and DEM Party is anticipated, as we continue advocating for policies that benefit Turkey’s future.”
On broader issues, Bahçeli painted a grim picture of the global security landscape. Warning of the risks of nuclear conflict amid rising international tensions, he called for readiness against “extraordinary developments” and stressed the critical role Turkey plays as a stabilising force.
Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Bahçeli welcomed legal moves against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Benny Gantz, whom he accused of war crimes in Gaza. He likened their prosecution to historical accountability cases, such as those tied to Balkan atrocities.
The MHP leader concluded by reaffirming Turkey’s strategic importance in global and regional balances, stating, “Disrupting Turkey’s stability would bring down the entire regional framework.”
Bahçeli also voiced strong support for the Turkish government’s practice of appointing trustees to replace elected mayors, often in regions with significant Kurdish populations, labelling these removals as justified actions against disorder.
Turning to international affairs, he reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Kirkuk (Kerkûk) “is Turkish” and denounced ongoing population census activities in the area as undermining its historical identity as part of Iraq’s Turkmen community.
The media came under intense scrutiny in Bahçeli’s address. Singling out networks like Halk TV, he accused certain outlets of being platforms for anti-MHP rhetoric. “We are keeping notes and will hold them accountable,” he warned.
Criticism was also directed at the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Turkey’s main opposition. Bahçeli lambasted its leader for allegedly inciting sectarian divisions and undermining the republic. He accused the CHP of supporting figures with ties to terrorist organisations and failing to uphold unity within Turkey.
While Bahçeli framed his speech as a defence of Turkish unity and security, his confrontational tone and focus on divisive rhetoric highlight ongoing political tensions in the country. His call for dialogue with İmralı may attract attention in Kurdish circles, yet his uncompromising stance on issues like Kurdish autonomy and media freedom will likely face backlash from opposition groups and international observers.
