Bahçeli’s IRA example or 'approaching the patron of the Eastern Question'!..

Good luck to anyone trying to keep up with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli!..

He set out with his call to the terrorist leader in İmralı: “Dissolve the organization, lay down arms, and benefit from the right to hope.”... Then he turned him into a “founding leader”... That wasn't enough; he gave him the status of “coordinator of peace and politicization.”... Finally, he reached the point of saying “without prejudice to his conviction status” and began talking about steps that “must be taken by the state.”

What is the terrorist leader, to whom he granted coordinator status “without prejudice to his conviction status,” going to do?

- “With the communication and logistical facilities to be provided to him... he will make it possible for the organizational activities of the organization's members or components, or their laying down of arms, to be carried out in a healthier manner.”

- “He will contribute to the goal and determination of a peaceful and terror-free Turkey finding resonance among broad masses.”

- “He will provide legitimate guidance suitable for the preference of politics over arms.”

However; this status, “will not cover issues such as being the leader and representative of the Kurds, or the advocacy of ethnic and categorical rights”!..

The language Bahçeli used in the 7-point new roadmap he had published in the party's newspaper, Türkgün, the other day was also remarkable.

Just like the PKK-DEM, he said, “Peace is two-sided.”...

He spoke of “individuals and peoples confronting the past” for “peace and reconciliation”...

He said the terrorist leader “wants to evolve the ideas he defends into political struggle”...

He emphasized that while in this country there is now only an inequality of “member of the government” / “not a member of the government,” the “social consensus ground” is that “everyone is equal in Turkey”...

He used the term “militant” for terrorists...

And he gave the IRA example...

Where in the World Has This Status Been Granted?

In short; even a writer for the pro-government media had to say, “If we look at global practices... Nowhere has status been granted to the organization's leadership. This function was assumed by political parties close to the organization. However, DEM is proving insufficient in assuming this function.”

No, there is one place where a similar title was given to the head of a terrorist organization; that is in Syria. The terrorist leader's spiritual son, Mazlum Kobani, was put in a tie and sat at negotiation tables. His men are now starting training within the Syrian Ministry of Defense to “have their military identities distributed and their duties and salaries determined.” As a result of this training, a total of 3,900 “fighters” in three brigades belonging to the Syrian PKK will receive their ranks!..

At this rate; if we were to ask whether the terrorists in our country who are wanted to be “politicized” will also be given “ranks,” and who will pin these “ranks” on them?!

Bahçeli’s IRA Statement from 15 Years Ago

MHP leader Bahçeli’s use of the IRA and Sinn Fein examples also caught the attention of Zafer Party spokesperson Azmi Karamahmutoğlu, who said:

“Mr. Bahçeli’s statements are statements that reek of British, reek of England. There are references to the IRA and Sinn Fein in every line. There is an approach that likens Turkey to England and the PKK to the IRA.”

As for us, we remembered the reaction Bahçeli showed when the same examples were brought to the agenda and workshops were held during the first opening period.

First of all; he said, “The national and unitary state, which is the founding philosophy of the Republic of Turkey, along with the national language, national existence, and national culture, are facing severe destruction. The risks to the national existence and survival of the Turkish nation and the Turkish state have multiplied and reached a limit that will be very difficult to compensate for.”...

He stated that “ethnic separatism, which is busy constantly creating problems and eroding the social fabric, and the AKP government, which paves the way for this, are dragging the Turkish nation into a dark environment together”...

He explained that “while this worrying landscape of the country stands before us, the search for justifications to ignite the fuse of democratic autonomy in foreign countries, and the delusions of finding models and examples, are remarkable in terms of showing the distorted mentality of the AKP and the main opposition party in the first place,” and added that “the involvement of some so-called intellectuals and journalists, who have a murky and problematic mentality and whose intentions are known by our nation, in this process increases the existing suspicions”...

Ultimately, he noted the following:

“It is understood that this flawed and sickly perspective, which calculates to show the problematic relations between England, Ireland, and Scotland and the subsequent developments as a precedent for our country, is focused on bringing Turkey closer to the patron of the historical Eastern Question regarding the so-called solution to terrorism. While events, actors, historical conditions, country positions, and sociological and psychological realities that are not at all similar to each other maintain their existence, thinking of importing solutions from outside will only mean creating excuses for the division of Turkey... There is nothing for the Turkish nation to learn or take from countries that have carried the division of Turkey and the establishment of another state on its lands on their agenda for over a century.”

Finally, he called on Erdoğan and his government “to be determined and uncompromising regarding separatism,” demanding that “the end of the PKK opening and the cessation of meetings with the murderer in İmralı be announced as soon as possible,” and warned that “the AKP’s insistence on being wrong and continuing its attitude contrary to the feelings and sensitivities of our nation will not be good for it at all.”

Are you aware; we have long passed the point of “How did we get here” for Bahçeli, and now we have started waiting, asking “What other openings will he make?”!..

Müyesser YILDIZ

May 20, 2026