Turkey’s political scene took an unexpected turn during the opening session of the Grand National Assembly, the country’s parliament, on Tuesday, when ruling coalition member and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, a long-time critic of Kurdish political movements, extended a symbolic handshake to pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party members. Bahçeli’s gesture, accompanied by a call for peace within Turkey, has garnered attention, but the DEM Party remains cautious, urging the government to back rhetoric with concrete actions.
After greeting DEM Party leaders, Bahçeli stated, “We are entering a new era. When seeking peace globally we must ensure peace within our own country.” His remarks signified a notable departure from his traditionally rigid stance on the Kurdish issue, an issue that has fuelled internal conflict in Turkey for a century.
During a press briefing after a DEM Party group meeting on Wednesday, Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the party remarked, “This was as it should be under the roof of the parliament… We need more dialogue and negotiation in Turkey than ever.” He stressed the importance of addressing the nation’s pressing issues and stated, “Turkey needs social peace,” noting that the DEM Party is “ready to support any step that will bring prosperity and peace to the country”. However, he questioned whether the handshake would lead to substantial change, and highlighted the need for all political parties to work together towards achieving societal harmony.
Responding to Bahçeli’s comments about a new era, DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit acknowledged the significance of his words but stressed the need for practical solutions. “His words are meaningful, but they must translate into actions. The Kurdish issue is not about gestures; it requires a real political solution,” she said.
Koçyiğit dismissed the idea that Bahçeli’s handshake should be viewed as groundbreaking. “Political parties greeting each other should be standard practice in parliament. The fact that this is seen as extraordinary shows how far we’ve drifted from normal political dialogue,” she added, highlighting the political polarisation that plagues Turkey.
She reaffirmed the DEM Party’s stance that the Kurdish issue requires a peaceful and democratic resolution. “Turkey has been far from being normalised for too long. Achieving internal peace is crucial, not only for Turkey’s stability but for regional peace as well,” she added, noting the worsening conflicts in the Middle East.
There was also palpable tension within the ranks of the opposition in the session. As President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan entered the assembly, the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel instructed its members to rise in respect, causing internal divisions. Some CHP MPs refused to stand, though others stood. Meanwhile, DEM Party members remained seated in silent protest at Erdoğan’s policies.
As the parliament reconvenes, the DEM Party continues to push for genuine dialogue and policy reforms to resolve the Kurdish conflict. Koçyiğit warned that returning to past policies would only prolong the issue. “Peace is not a luxury — it is a necessity for Turkey’s future,” she concluded, urging both the government and opposition to move beyond symbolic gestures.
Although Bahçeli’s handshake gained media attention, it is seen by DEM Party members as lacking substance. Koçyiğit cautioned that without a detailed roadmap for peace, particularly concerning the Kurdish issue, Turkey risks missing a crucial opportunity to address its internal divisions.
