DEM Party's Bakırhan responds to Bahçeli's 'new era' remarks: 'There is a need for dialogue and negotiation'
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made a statement regarding his handshake with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli at the opening of the new legislative session in Parliament.
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Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan evaluated his handshake with Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli before the general assembly at the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) yesterday.
Responding to journalists' questions on the matter at the TBMM, Bakırhan stated that shaking hands with Bahçeli was 'normal' in terms of establishing a basis for dialogue.
'IT WAS NORMAL FOR BAHÇELİ TO COME OVER'
Bakırhan made the following statement regarding the issue:
"It was a scene that should have happened. You are also right; until today, there was no basis for negotiation or dialogue. This is one of the main duties of the Parliament. The people sent us here to discuss Turkey's fundamental issues and produce solutions. In this process, there is a greater need for dialogue and negotiation in Turkey than ever before. It was extremely normal for Mr. Bahçeli to come over; it is not abnormal."
SOCIAL PEACE
Emphasizing that a handshake alone would not be enough for a new process, Bakırhan said, "We had already stated that we are ready to support every step that defends social peace in Turkey and will bring prosperity and tranquility to the country. I would like to state that we, too, must take steps in Parliament, starting with the ruling party, to develop a discourse that will build this social peace."
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the closing of the Parliament's opening session, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli went to the DEM Party Co-Chairs as he was leaving the hall and shook hands with the deputies, including DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Sezai Temelli, DEM Party Van Deputy Pervin Buldan, and DEM Party Ağrı Deputy Sırrı Sakık.
Bahçeli, who has frequently made headlines with his harsh rhetoric and occasional targeting of the DEM Party, also made a statement regarding the handshake while answering journalists' questions at the reception, saying, "We are entering a new era; while we want peace in the world, we must ensure peace in our own country."