Leaked from the corridors: Rift in the AKP over the new 'opening' process! Nationalist-origin members are uneasy...

Following the laying down of arms by a group of PKK terrorists in the new 'opening' process—architected by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli and branded by the government as 'Terror-Free Turkey'—the process has reached the stage of establishing a commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

While public debates regarding the transparency of the process continue, discussions within the AKP have leaked from the corridors.

According to a report by Merve Kılıç from Cumhuriyet, the new 'opening' process has caused unease within the AKP. Some figures of nationalist origin in the party have pointed to the upcoming election process, warning that 'if the İmralı debate grows, the People's Alliance with the MHP could be damaged.'

Some AKP deputies from the East and Southeast, however, have argued that the party could increase its votes through this new 'opening' process.

Nevertheless, it is stated that the prevailing view within the party leadership is that 'such a step will alienate voters and could lead to a crisis with the MHP.' Some senior party figures are expressing the view that, 'Opening such a topic as we enter the election process will scare off nationalist voters. The trauma of the 2015 resolution process is still fresh in our minds.'

'THE İMRALI AGENDA WILL WEAR US DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY'

It is also being discussed in party corridors that while it is important to send a message of 'softening' to society before the elections, building this perception around the axis of İmralı carries high risks. A party executive closely following the process commented, 'Other ways can be found to send a message to Kurdish voters. The İmralı agenda will wear us down significantly.'

News Source: 12punto