Debate on 'separatism' in Parliament: The term 'Kurdish provinces' sparks tension

During the 2026 budget deliberations for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure at the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission, a debate on separatism erupted between DEM Party and IYI Party MPs over the term "Kurdish provinces."

The 2026 budget for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is currently being discussed at the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission.

DEM Party Siirt MP Sabahat Erdoğan Sarıtaş drew attention to strategic inequalities in transport investments during her speech on the budget. Sarıtaş stated that air, road, and rail system projects are largely concentrated in western provinces, while in "Kurdish provinces," expansion or transition processes and intervals have not been completed, arguing that this inequality in transport and communication services disrupts citizens' daily lives and economic activities.

AKP'S MUŞ WARNS: 'THERE IS NO SUCH PROVINCE AS KURDISH PROVINCES'

TBMM Planning and Budget Commission Chair Mehmet Muş warned DEM Party MP Sabahat Erdoğan Sarıtaş regarding her use of the term "Kurdish provinces" in her speech. Muş said, "There is no such thing as 'Kurdish provinces'; we have 81 provinces in our country."

Following Muş's statement, a debate on separatism broke out between IYI Party and DEM Party MPs. The discussion was recorded in the commission minutes as follows:

IYI Party Trabzon MP Yavuz Aydın: You are choosing discrimination by saying 'Kurdish provinces.' You are trying to divide the geography.

DEM Party Istanbul MP Çiçek Otlu: If we are Alevi, we are Alevi; if we are Kurdish, we are Kurdish; God, God.

Yavuz Aydın: They are hiding behind the language of peace.

Çiçek Otlu: What did we say to you? Did we insult you by saying 'Kurdish province'?

Commission Chair Mehmet Muş: There are Articles 123 and 126 of the Constitution; there is the integrity of the administration and legal personality of the public... There is no such statement as 'Kurdish provinces' in the Constitution. The central administration is determined by law, and it is not in the laws either. Furthermore, Article 3 of the Constitution states that the state is an indivisible whole with its territory and nation. In short, your rhetoric is contrary to these three constitutional articles I have listed.

DEM Party Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan: As you know, in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, geographical definitions such as Kurdish provinces, Kurdistan, Kurdish regions, Thrace, Central Anatolia, and Anatolia have always been used. Our intention here is certainly not discrimination, but it is not known as such, and it should not be understood as such. It is called 'Kurdish provinces' because Kurds live there densely; what else can it be called? This is a geographical term, and it is also used as such by the ministry. Now, what are we going to call Urfa, Mardin, Şırnak, and Hakkâri? 'Arab provinces' is not a problem.

"This is separatism..."

Yavuz Aydın: Provinces of the Republic of Turkey...

Kamuran Tanhan: Provinces of the Republic of Turkey, of course, but Kurdish provinces...

IYI Party Samsun MP Erhan Usta: Friends, they are using the 'Kurdish provinces' method. And then you, Mr. Chairman, are correct. Then we are giving them another tool to conduct propaganda again, and they speak for another minute or two; we need to put an end to this. Do not give this second word. Mr. Chairman, this is blatant separatism.

DEM Party Hakkari MP Onur Düşünmez: It is not separatism if it is not perceived as separatism.

Erhan Usta: There is no good intention here; we absolutely do not accept this.

Onur Düşünmez: It is not separatism.

Çiçek Otlu: It is not directed at you; you are stating the geography.

Erhan Usta: We reject everyone who says 'Kurdish province' here from beginning to end. Look, this is separatism; this is separatism.

News Source: 12punto