Has the second opening stalled? Comments in AKP corridors: 'The process cannot continue like this!'

Following the symbolic disarmament of a group of PKK terrorists in Sulaymaniyah on July 11 as part of the new opening process—which was architected by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli and named 'Terror-Free Turkey' by the government—a commission regarding the process was established in the TBMM.

The commission, which has met 6 times, will hold its seventh meeting today. The commission is expected to complete its work by October 1.

The DEM Party, a partner in the process, expresses its expectations at every opportunity by emphasizing 'legal regulations'.

Despite the establishment of the commission, the expected step of mass disarmament from the terrorist organization PKK has not come. This situation has increased question marks regarding the future of the process.

According to the report by Cumhuriyet, new steps regarding the process were expected from the People's Alliance after a group of PKK terrorists laid down their arms. While it is noted that the terrorist organization does not want to take new steps without legal regulations, the assessment in the AKP camp is that 'No legal regulation will be made without disarmament'.

According to what is being discussed in the corridors, the mutual expectations of the parties have led to a deadlock in the process.

While one segment in the AKP acts cautiously, saying, 'It is impossible to go for legal regulation without disarmament. The process cannot continue in this state,' another segment argues that the process must continue. It has been learned that the common concern within the AKP is the growing voter reaction. While citizens are struggling with the economic crisis, keeping the opening discussions on the agenda has also created discomfort at the grassroots level.

A party official assessed, 'The public's priority is the cost of living. The opening process is harming the party under these conditions,' while another figure expressed the discomfort with the words, 'It was a sincere initiative, but our hands were tied when the organization did not take a step.'

MHP IS CREATING PRESSURE ON THE AKP

It is also being voiced in the corridors that the line MHP has followed since the beginning of the process is creating pressure on the AKP. It is being discussed that the process, which began with Bahçeli's call, could be ended by the AKP. It is stated that the most important factor that will determine the future of the process is the upcoming elections. While the assessment 'If voter reaction grows, the process will end' is being made within the AKP, some figures warn that 'Ending the process completely for the sake of election calculations could create a new fracture.' In the corridors, comments such as 'The rift within the AKP is growing; whether the process will continue depends largely on President Erdoğan's stance' are coming to the fore.

News Source: 12punto