Has the new reconciliation process stalled? Election plans on the government front

The "Terror-Free Turkey" process initiated by the government has reached a critical juncture, especially following the PKK's statement on laying down arms. However, the fact that the process has not produced concrete results has drawn serious reactions from both the voter base and the MHP, a stakeholder in the People's Alliance.

As the discomfort within the nationalist wing of the People's Alliance, particularly the MHP, continues to deepen, different tendencies have begun to emerge within the AKP regarding whether this process will continue.

"LIMITED PROGRESS RECORDED"

According to Merve Kılıç from Cumhuriyet, the option of "terminating the process" is on the agenda in AKP corridors due to the limited progress made. The fact that the PKK has only symbolically laid down arms is seen as the clearest indicator that the process has stalled and voter reactions are increasing. Comments coming from AKP circles, stating that "no concrete steps have been taken for the process to advance," suggest that the process has effectively come to an end.

"IT SHOULD NOT BE A BURDEN ON THE ELECTION PROCESS"

Sources within the AKP point out that recent polls show nationalist and conservative voters, in particular, are increasingly uncomfortable with the opening process. Some AKP sources comment, "The continuation of this process is creating a political cost. Such a burden cannot be carried during the election process." It is stated that at a time when the government is focusing on election preparations, the "opening" process should not cause any further damage.

Two main tendencies within the AKP will be decisive regarding the future of the process. While one segment argues that continuing the opening is strategically necessary due to international balances and regional developments, the other segment believes that voter pressure carries more weight. This group is of the opinion that effectively ending the process would relieve the People's Alliance.

Devlet Bahçeli's statements regarding the "opening process" have strengthened the second tendency within the AKP. It is stated that as the election process approaches, Erdoğan will shape his decision on the future of the process according to the election calendar.

Sources within the party state that at a time when the AKP is focused on the election period, it will avoid steps that would cause it to lose voters.