Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli shocked the nation by inviting Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, to parliament to call for the dissolution of his group. Bahceli, from the MHP party, a key player in the ruling coalition, proposed that if Ocalan publicly renounces terrorism, his release may be considered under European law. While the “Right to Hope” doesn’t apply in Turkish law, there is a proposal to include it.
Bahceli emphasized the importance of resolving the Kurdish issue through parliamentary dialogue and democratic reforms, hinting at a possible negotiation with the PKK. He also suggested that the PKK members disarm and return to normal life. The main opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, called for transparency in resolving the Kurdish question.
President Erdogan supported Bahceli’s initiative, portraying it as an opportunity to end terror. Recent events hint at a potential shift in Ankara’s approach towards the Kurdish issue. Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999, symbolizes the Kurdish struggle for autonomy, with calls to end his isolation growing stronger in Turkey.