Surprising choice from MHP voters: The 'Öcalan or Demirtaş?' question

The "Terror-Free Turkey" process, which began in October 2024 with MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's call for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to "come and speak in Parliament," had caused widespread repercussions in public opinion. The latest research conducted by the Social Studies Institute (TÇE) has revealed voter trends regarding this process.

In the survey conducted by TÇE in 2025, participants were asked the question, "Should Öcalan or Demirtaş speak on the parliamentary podium representing the DEM Party?" The research drew attention with the responses given to this question by voters of different parties.

According to the survey results, 38 percent of MHP voters answered "Demirtaş," while the rate of those who preferred Öcalan remained below that. It was determined that not only MHP voters but also the majority of AKP, CHP, IYI Party, and DEM Party voters favored Selahattin Demirtaş.

It was noted that Öcalan, who came to the agenda with Bahçeli's words "Let him come and speak in Parliament," found almost no support among any voter group, including his own party.

In the TÇE research, a possible amnesty regulation for PKK members who lay down their arms was also questioned. Participants were asked the question, "Do you think an amnesty should be granted to PKK militants if they lay down their arms?"

82 percent of those who participated in the survey answered "No." When viewed on a party basis, 85.3 percent of AKP voters, 87.9 percent of CHP voters, 92.4 percent of MHP voters, 14.9 percent of DEM Party voters, and all of the Zafer Party voters opposed the granting of an amnesty.