Will the peace process begin? Gülten Kışanak's striking YRP commentary

DEM Party Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayoral candidate Gültan Kışanak answered journalists' questions regarding the election campaign and the political agenda. 

Evaluating the negotiations between the DEM Party and the AKP and the possibility of a new peace process starting after the elections, Kışanak said, "The probability of a new process starting is very low; great responsibilities fall upon the opposition."

Highlights from the meeting between Kışanak and the journalists are as follows:

WILL THE PEACE PROCESS START AGAIN?

Gökçer Tahincioğlu: The DEM Party entered the local elections with its own candidates. In response, Erdoğan says that the CHP and the DEM Party have formed a secret alliance. On the other hand, statements and news reports are reflecting in the public sphere regarding negotiations being held with the AKP. Statements are also being made that Erdoğan is the interlocutor regarding a possible new peace process. While the closure case is ongoing, and you and politicians in similar situations are not being released despite legislation and court rulings, is such a relationship of trust possible? What is the DEM Party aiming for in this election, and is there really an expectation that a new process will begin after the election?

"Since it is an election period, the Kurdish issue is naturally being discussed more. It is known that Kurds are also citizens and they have votes. Kurdish political actors want to utilize this voting power for a solution. This is in the nature of politics. However, there are also those who want to muddy the waters and fish in troubled waters. The DEM Party's stance is clear; it has fielded its own candidates and is continuing its struggle strongly. The AKP-MHP bloc is engaging in black propaganda both to attract nationalist votes and to confuse DEM Party voters. They have already remained in power for years by using terms like 'collaboration with terrorism' and 'survival.' They want to stage the same game.

What is important here is that the democratic public now takes a stance that does not give credence to these discourses. The source of the problem is that the opposition does not step outside the boundaries drawn by the government on the Kurdish issue. This situation creates a deadlock in politics. Those who play chess know that the most effective tactic is to put the opponent's important pieces in a bind, so that one can move more comfortably. The opposition needs to change its political approach toward the DEM Party and the Kurds.

The probability of a new process starting after the election is very low. However, the DEM Party will carry out a strong struggle to find a democratic and peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. We expect all segments that believe in democracy and peace to contribute to this struggle. This is what should happen. The Kurdish issue is not an issue that can be solved only by the government; it is a subject that can be solved through social consensus. Great responsibilities fall upon the opposition for a solution.

It was long, but I want to say one more sentence: Both the government and the CHP want to consolidate votes by creating a perception that these local elections are very important. Of course, this election is important like every election, but it is not a 'fate' election. The policies we follow determine our fate. The opposition must now aspire to solve problems with a strong democratic program and stop reducing politics to the ballot box."

"GOVERNMENTS COME AND GO, THE KURDISH ISSUE REMAINS"

Seyhan Avşar: With a statement made by Ms. Leyla Zana, the topic of whether a new peace process will be initiated has started to be discussed in the public sphere. Subsequently, Mr. Ahmet Türk said regarding the solution to the Kurdish issue, 'The CHP cannot do it. Why? Because it cannot convince the deep state. If Erdoğan wants to, he can convince them. They can solve the issue.' Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş, on the other hand, said that the interlocutors for the Kurdish issue are President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Abdullah Öcalan. In your opinion, can the CHP not solve the Kurdish issue? Do you agree with Mr. Türk's statement that 'the CHP cannot convince the deep state'? In connection with all this, despite everything the Kurdish people have been put through, is Erdoğan the interlocutor for a solution? If your answer is 'Yes,' is he the interlocutor because he is in power, or because you think he can convince the deep state?

"First of all, let me say it clearly. The Kurdish issue can only be solved with a policy that is above parties. Otherwise, if the AKP wants to solve it, the CHP opposes it; if the CHP attempts to solve it, the AKP accuses it of 'treason.' We learned this by experiencing it in the past process. Even now, both parties attack each other over the Kurdish issue.

If it wants to, the CHP is a party that can easily solve the Kurdish issue. As the founding party of the Republic, it is under a great responsibility in this regard. But I am specifically underlining the word 'if it wants to.' One must see this: nationalism is rising through nationalistic rhetoric in Turkey, and it is increasingly making both segments right-wing. For this reason, the Kurdish issue is not just the issue of the Kurds; it is Turkey's democracy problem.

Everyone also forgot about the deep state issue. JİTEM had been exposed, lawsuits had been filed against it, and the opportunity to convict the deep state had emerged. However, JİTEM members were acquitted one by one. It was not even reported properly. Yet, the CHP tradition had an important role in the exposure of this structure. During the AKP era, it is acted as if the deep state does not exist, and no one pursues events, especially those related to Kurds. It is not a matter of 'convincing' the deep state, but of exposing it.

I think Mr. Ahmet Türk wanted to point to the influence of the AKP government over all state institutions because it is in power. We know what the AKP government has put us through; we are still experiencing it. I have said it many times in court, let me say it once more: If keeping us in prison solves the Kurdish issue, then do it, let this issue end. For us, it is not about what price we pay, but how the issue will be solved. There is an extremely important issue at hand that concerns the entire country and millions of Kurdish citizens. Our expectation is that this issue is no longer used as domestic political material, that it is solved within the axis of fundamental rights and within democracy, and that social peace is ensured. Governments come and go, the Kurdish issue remains; the century of the republic passed like this. We do not want the second century to pass like this. I would regret it if I didn't say one more thing. I wish the fact that the AKP treats Kurds badly was not only remembered during election times."

THE YRP EFFECT!

Kemal Avcı: Mr. Kışanak, what kind of consequences will the victory of the government or the opposition in the upcoming local elections lead to in politics? Can a new process aimed at solving the Kurdish issue begin? What should be done to force the government to take steps in this regard?

"The upcoming election is a local election, not an election that will change the government. Therefore, it will be necessary to read the election results in a different way. In the context of the Kurdish issue, how many municipalities the DEM Party wins and the percentage of votes it receives will contain important messages. If the DEM Party achieves a significant success, it will both create a deterrent effect regarding the trustee issue and play a more effective role in the solution of the Kurdish issue. There are no signs that a new peace process will begin after the election. But a path must be opened for dialogue and solution. The current situation has become a great burden due to both the domestic political and economic situation and regional developments. The DEM Party has an important mission in changing this situation, but the solution should not be left only to the DEM Party. All democratic social dynamics must take a role for peace and solution.

The real thing that will affect the AKP's Kurdish policy is related to its own reality. Liberals broke away from the AKP, conservative democrats broke away, and with the emergence of the YRP, it has come to a serious crossroads with the Milli Görüş tradition. The economic crisis was effective in these breakaways, but it is not the only reason. The disappearance of the political distance between the AKP and the MHP has created serious discomfort in the AKP's classic base, especially among Kurds. This situation will be reflected in the election results. I think the YRP will receive a significant number of votes from AKP voters in the election. Furthermore, the IYI Party entering the election on its own has created a new alternative for AKP and MHP voters. In this election, the AKP will face its own trajectory."