Özgür Özel: Erdoğan was unaware of Öcalan remarks

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in a conversation with a group of journalists in Ankara, stated that the remarks made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli regarding PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan have sparked a debate about a "new process" within the alliance.

Özel suggested that Bahçeli's statements were made without the knowledge of President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, saying, "Bahçeli is either trying to block something or pave the way for it. If he wants to block it, there could be a crisis in the alliance; otherwise, this could be seen as a technical glitch."

'HE WAS UNAWARE OF BAHÇELİ'S ÖCALAN REMARKS'

Claiming that Erdoğan was unaware of Bahçeli's move, Özel recounted that before a peace dinner, Erdoğan had requested footage of Bahçeli's statements from someone at the meeting. Özel assessed, "While there is not enough political data available, this move by Bahçeli may point to a different development within the alliance."