DEM Party congress: Bakırhan and Hatimoğulları re-elected as co-chairs

The DEM Party's 5th Ordinary Grand Congress was held at the Nazım Hikmet Culture Center in Ankara. At the congress, Tuncer Bakırhan and Tülay Hatimoğulları were re-elected as co-chairs, receiving all 535 valid votes.

Speaking at the congress, DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları delivered messages regarding the new term. Describing the congress as a "preparatory congress" and a "threshold congress," Hatimoğulları stated that the party is preparing for a new political era.

Hatimoğulları said, "We are here not to repeat ourselves, but to renew ourselves." Stating that the Kurdish issue has begun to be discussed again in Turkey, Hatimoğulları expressed that 'the silencing of weapons creates an important opportunity not only for the Kurdish movement but for all segments struggling on democratic grounds.'

Hatimoğulları stated that peace cannot be seen merely as the "silencing of weapons" and that social peace can only be established through the common will of politics, law, and society. She noted that they attach importance to the Law on the Strengthening of National Solidarity and Social Integration accepted in Parliament, but that no law alone can ensure social peace.

Stating that "Peace is not a favor granted to society by any government," Hatimoğulları expressed that peace must be carried into neighborhoods, schools, families, municipalities, and parliament. She said that Peace Mothers, Saturday Mothers, human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, the women's movement, and different social segments must take on a role in this process.

Expressing that the upcoming period will not be easy, Hatimoğulları stated that peace processes are "rugged, thin, long, and difficult." Saying that provocations, mistrust, and old fears may come to the agenda again, Hatimoğulları stated that the DEM Party sees peace not as a "conjunctural choice" but as a political program for living together.

Hatimoğulları concluded her speech with a call for more work toward the goal of peace and a democratic society. With the election held at the congress, Bakırhan and Hatimoğulları will continue their duties as co-chairs in the new term of the DEM Party.

News Source: 12punto