Criticism from Tuncer Bakırhan to MHP: 'Unacceptable'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made current assessments regarding the 'process' being conducted with the government, which is being closely followed by the public, as we enter 2026.

Placing special emphasis on the CHP's position in this process, Bakırhan stated, "If some are trying to keep the CHP out of the process, it means there is a serious game at play. The CHP must recognize this game, take a more active role, and exercise initiative."

Bakırhan expressed that if the report prepared by the commission established in Parliament remains limited to the security perspective of the AKP-MHP alliance, the process will lose its legitimacy in the long term. Bakırhan said, 'The process can only be managed in the short term; however, if societal expectations are not met in the long term, tensions in the Kurdish community could escalate again.'

The DEM Party Co-Chair listed his prominent views in his latest interview as follows:

THE COURSE OF THE PROCESS AND THE STANCE OF POLITICAL ACTORS

Bakırhan said that it is an important development that MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli has moved away from his usual political stance of the past and changed his harsh rhetoric. However, pointing out that such changes cannot be explained solely by the attitudes of individual actors, Bakırhan stated that the changing conditions of the country, the region, and the world are effective in the background of the process. Bakırhan assessed, 'It is necessary to evaluate what is happening not only through personal attitudes but from a broad perspective. In this way, it becomes possible to take healthier steps in the search for a democratic solution.'

Stating that the pressure on the CHP has intensified especially after the March 19 operations, Bakırhan expressed that these pressures could cause a withdrawal and cautious behavior within the CHP. Emphasizing that parties left out of the process will not find a place in history in the future, Bakırhan said, "Instead of running from the storm, it is possible to turn this storm into an advantage with the right strategy."

CRITICIZED THE MHP 

Addressing the negative views on Kurdish identity and education in the mother tongue contained in the report prepared by the MHP, Bakırhan emphasized that this approach is unacceptable. While noting that the MHP has made some accurate historical observations, Bakırhan underscored that the Turkish and Kurdish peoples must act together.

Touching upon the AKP's attitude within the commission, Bakırhan stated that while they acknowledge the necessity of transitional laws, they remain distant from clarity regarding democratization and the future of social law. Bakırhan noted that a security-focused approach alone will not produce a solution, and that lasting peace can only be achieved by including society and the civil sphere in the process.

Bakırhan concluded his remarks as follows: “Our position is not to withdraw from the parliamentary floor, but to advocate for a solution here. For the demands of society to be reflected in the process, civil society organizations, as well as women's and youth movements, must be involved more effectively. Peace can only become permanent through social consensus.”