Open door from Özgür Özel to Devlet Bahçeli: If he cannot walk with the AKP...

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel answered questions from DW Turkish's Kıvanç El. Evaluating the remarks made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli following the Selahattin Yılmaz investigation, Özel emphasized that the primary addressee is the People's Alliance.

Stating, "I am not hoping for the AKP and the People's Alliance to fall apart or turn on each other," Özel found Bahçeli's messages regarding indictments and trial without detention to be "important."

"IT IS VALUABLE THAT BAHÇELİ IS SAYING THIS"

The CHP leader evaluated the messages given regarding judicial independence and said the following:

"Bahçeli has messages such as the drafting of indictments and trial without detention. It is valuable that Devlet Bey is saying this. However, the decision-makers within the AKP are not at the same point. There are some figures instructed by the AKP who are clearing the path in politics. They are so blinded that they would pose for a photo with a White Toros."

"WE WILL WALK WITH ANYONE FOR A DEMOCRATIC AND TERROR-FREE TURKEY"

Stating that they are open to cooperation if Bahçeli's demands for democratization conflict with his alliance partner, Özel said, "If Devlet Bey's concern and expectation regarding the rule of law and democratization reach a point where he cannot walk together with his alliance partner, we will walk with anyone on the path to democracy; I have no objection to that either. We will walk with anyone for a democratic and terror-free Turkey."

"AMNESTY AND THE RIGHT TO HOPE ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA"

Touching upon the "National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission" established in Parliament, Özel said that the discussions in the public sphere regarding a "general amnesty" and the "right to hope" do not reflect the truth.

"We have presented our proposals to the commission. Amnesty or the right to hope are not on the agenda. If the commission is reduced only to negotiations in İmralı, it would be least beneficial to the AKP and the MHP. Advancing it alongside democratization steps both ensures social consensus and paves the way for a terror-free Turkey," he said.

"THE AKP WANTS TO NARROW THE PROCESS"

Responding to the claim reported by DW Turkish that the AKP wants to limit the commission only to the "terror-free Turkey" process, Özel stated that he finds this approach "risky":

"Anyone who reads the situation correctly should strengthen the ground for democratization to expand social consent. No one joined that commission to talk when the AKP says 'talk' or to disperse when it says 'disperse.' Democratization is essential for the commission to be successful."

News Source: 12punto