Did Bahçeli ignite the fuse of a new era? Will a new 'solution process' begin?

Speaking at his party's group meeting, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli addressed the discussions that began on the first day of the new legislative year when he shook hands with DEM Party members at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Bahçeli stated, "The hand I extended is a wish and a proposal for you to become a party of Turkey and to take a stand against terrorism."

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları also spoke while answering journalists' questions following her party's group meeting, saying the following:

"The DEM Party is already a party of Turkey. The DEM Party is a party where all peoples and beliefs in Turkey are represented and exist, starting with its internal representations, and we are a political party that struggles for Turkey to be in peace and tranquility from east to west, from north to south in a general sense."

Sözcü columnist Aytunç Erkin reported on what is being discussed in the DEM Party corridors following these developments:

'WE WOULD BE HAPPY IF STEPS ARE TAKEN'

"If a climate is created and positive steps are taken regarding the future, we also care about it. We care about this step. However, what will happen after this step? Will the new constitution truly embrace all the peoples of Turkey? Will there be a 'clearing of the path'? If steps are to be taken here, of course we care. If a step is being taken that is appropriate for the spirit of the day, that is their problem. We have always been in dialogue with the political parties in Parliament. This polarization has existed for a long time. The architect of this is the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı). We are coming from a process where everyone who was not one of them was accused of treason and terrorism. Now, if they see their sins and are trying to say 'The Middle East has turned into a bloodbath, can we create unity here?' we would be happy about this. This is what should be."

'WE ARE READY FOR NEGOTIATION'

When asked, "Was there a meeting before Bahçeli's speech at the group and the handshake?" DEM Party members replied that "there has not been a meeting for a long time," and noted the following:

"The speeches made in the group after the handshake are also very important. We are talking about a new constitution and a new social contract. If it is going to embrace everyone, it is worth considering. We are present in every kind of struggle, but we also say that we are ready for negotiation."

'ISOLATION OF ÖCALAN MUST BE LIFTED'

The issue that DEM members emphasize is Öcalan:

"An isolation policy has been applied to Öcalan for a long time. It is important that he is included in this process. This is in Turkey's interest. If these steps are taken, many things will change. There is a judicial package, there are thousands of prisoners inside. There are sick and elderly people. Steps must be taken regarding them. We underline the law of consensus."

IS THIS A NEW SOLUTION-OPENING PROCESS?

Regarding the developments, the response of DEM members to the question "Can this be called a new solution-opening process?" was as follows:

"We don't know. We will wait and see. I am choosing my sentences carefully. What needs to be done? A roadmap will be determined after observing the process. A consensus can be reached in Parliament with 600 deputies. If politics is the art of solving problems, a climate of consensus can be created. There will be different discussions and different voices within the party. The demand of everyone who has paid the price for this, the consensus inside is important. Everyone wants to be saved from this bloodbath, everyone."