Pro-Kurdish Dem Party to meet PKK leader Öcalan next week: Report

According to ANKA news agency’s report based on DEM Party resources, the pro-Kurdish Party would meet with PKK leader Öcalan next week.

Saturday December 21 2024 12:48 am

Duvar English

The meeting between Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan and the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party delegation was reported to be set for next week, according to the ANKA News Agency.

https://x.com/ankahabera/status/1870098271345266790

The meeting was first brought to the forefront by several unexpected calls from the ruling coalition partner far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli amid the months long meeting restrictions.

According to sources from the DEM Party relayed by ANKA, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has given approval for the meeting. The meeting is expected to take place within the next ten days.

It is highly likely that the delegation will include Kurdish movement’s heavyweights Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan, who were part of the delegation visiting Öcalan during the 2013–2015 PKK–Turkey peace process.

Pervin Buldan, in an interview with Gazete Pencere, stated, "We haven't received any official approval. We learned about this information from the media."

It is also noted that other names may visit İmralı after the first meeting.

When asked about the recent developments, MHP leader Bahçeli on Dec. 20 stated, "There is no change in our views. There is benefit in facilitating this meeting. We would be pleased with the discussions."

Bahçeli and the Turkish government have been known for their harsh stance against the Kurdish politicians and the government has initiated a crackdown on DEM Party mayors despite the ongoing calls from Bahçeli.

The process, which began with MHP leader Bahçeli shaking hands with DEM Party MPs on Oct. 1, continued on Oct. 22 with a call to PKK leader Öcalan to "dissolve the organization and speak in the DEM Party group in the Parliament."

Later, on Nov. 26, during a group meeting, Bahçeli took the call a step further, saying, "We expect face-to-face contact between Öcalan and the DEM Partyto take place without delay."

Following Bahçeli’s calls, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan announced that an official application had been made to the Justice Ministry to visit Öcalan.