Ali Babacan, leader of Turkey’s Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party, and Ahmet Davutoğlu, leader of the Future Party, have addressed the New Path Party (Yeni Yol) Parliamentary Group meeting and commented on Abdullah Öcalan’s statement and the PKK’s subsequent ceasefire declaration. The leaders stressed that the solution process could only move forward with political determination and a clearly defined roadmap, and called on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to clarify his position on the matter.
Outlining the positive and negative aspects of the latest developments, Davutoğlu said: “Öcalan is now talking about dismantling the organisation instead of just withdrawing armed groups from Turkey, as he did in 2013. Moreover, this statement does not question the structure of the state, but rather discusses democratisation within a unitary system. However, no government officials are addressing the public on this issue. Erdoğan needs to inform the people.” He also criticised the lack of coherence within the ruling bloc, saying:
"While Bahçeli is constantly changing the gears, Erdoğan is constantly pulling the handbrake. Not once have we heard a statement from Erdoğan that the process is right and will reach its goal. Bahçeli is meeting with all DEM members on his sick bed. Well, who are we to believe? The AK [Justice and Development] Party can talk; has anyone from the government, namely the Minister of Interior or the Vice President, spoken?"
Speaking in a television interview, Davutoğlu discussed issues related to Kurdish identity, citizenship and mother tongue rights. He argued that Turkish and Kurdish identities should not be seen as mutually exclusive. “There is no doubt that the official language is Turkish, but allowing the free use of Kurdish would unite Turkey,” he said. Pointing to multilingual education models in other countries, he added: “There is no harm in offering certain classes in Kurdish.”
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Underlining the importance of a peaceful solution, Ali Babacan said: “Peace is better than war. We are following the process with cautious optimism, but without determination and a clear roadmap, success is difficult”. He went on to note that while Bahçeli’s stance seems firm, Erdoğan’s position remains ambiguous. “Either we look forward and move forward together, or we stumble and miss this opportunity,” he said.
"Kurdish citizens in our country have problems, there is a Kurdish problem. The arena for the solution of this problem is under this roof, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Look, this problem became evident even when the Imrali delegation read the call for the dissolution of the organisation [referring to the PKK]. Didn't you see what happened on the television channels? When the text of the call was first read in Kurdish, they were stunned. Some of them didn't know what to do, got scared and cut the broadcast; some went back to their roots and embraced the ban. This virus of authoritarianism, this virus of antidemocratism, this virus of populism, this virus of discrimination is a virus that spreads through politics."
On the wider Kurdish issue, Babacan said the solution must be based on Turkey’s longstanding coexistence with the Kurds. “We want the Kurds in Syria to exist freely, and to have politically diverse and friendly relations with Turkey. Therefore, all weapons pointed at Turkey must be laid down,” he said. He also criticised the censorship of Kurdish broadcasts, stressing that democratic rights and freedoms must be upheld.
