Erdoğan had only called it a 'great opportunity': Why is the AKP silent on the new İmralı process?
The İmralı process, which began with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli's call to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, has deepened debates as President Erdoğan—criticized by the opposition for being "unclear"—has only used the term "opportunity," and there have been no clear messages regarding the process from within the party. So, what does the AKP think about the new process? Here are the details...
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Debates continue regarding the İmralı process, which began with MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's group speech in October 2024 and continued with statements from the terrorist organization PKK.
While the opposition is increasing its criticism, claiming that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has not displayed a clear stance on the matter, it is noteworthy that no concrete statement regarding the future of the process has come from the AKP front either.
ERDOĞAN ONLY CALLED IT AN OPPORTUNITY
President Erdoğan avoided presenting a clear roadmap in his statement regarding the İmralı process.
Erdoğan stated, "I must express this with great satisfaction. Today, we are in a stronger, more determined, and more advantageous position to achieve the goal of a Turkey without terrorism in all its dimensions. We are closer than ever to permanently and definitively getting rid of a scourge that has been draining our nation's blood, lives, and resources for 40 years. It is unthinkable for a politician who feels a sense of responsibility toward their nation to turn their back on such an opportunity. We are obligated to make the best use of our advantage to achieve a result that will be for the benefit of all 85 million."
However, these words of Erdoğan were found insufficient by the opposition on the grounds that they did not provide any clues as to how the process would function.
NO CLEAR STATEMENT FROM THE AKP
On the AKP front, uncertainty prevails regarding the process. According to the report by Merve Kılıç from Cumhuriyet, there are those within the party who support the process, as well as those who approach it with caution. Despite Erdoğan describing the process as a "historic opportunity," neither a concrete statement nor a roadmap has come from the AKP leadership.
While some AKP sources state that the process is the "last chance for the DEM Party to distance itself from terrorism," it is also stated that work on a new constitution has gained momentum within the party. Although AKP officials emphasize that there will be no concessions on the first four articles, they indicate that ideas regarding potential changes to the definition of "citizenship" are being discussed.