The DEM Party has selected Van MP Pervin Buldan as its new Parliament deputy Speaker
The DEM Party has selected Van MP Pervin Buldan as its new Parliament deputy Speaker.
The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has selected its new Parliament Vice Speaker following an internal meeting.
Following the passing of the party’s former Parliament deputy Speaker, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, on 3 May, a meeting was held today at the party’s headquarters with its members of parliament to determine his successor.
According to a report by Mehmet Aslan from Mezopotamya Agency, the DEM Party elected Pervin Buldan, MP for Van (Wan) and a member of the Imralı delegation, as the new Parliament deputy Speaker.
The party will submit Buldan’s name to Parliament through an official application in the coming days.[1]

The #DEM Party# Imrali Delegation said in a statement after meeting political parties: Continuing the public's support for our efforts will be the most valuable building block in the construction of peace and solution.
On #28-12-2024# , DEM Party MPs Sirri Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan met with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on Imralı Prison Island. During the conversation, Abdullah Öcalan conveyed messages aimed at finding a solution. Following this dialogue, the delegation met with various political actors and parties. They first held talks with Ahmet Davutoğlu, the leader of the Future Party, as well as with members of the AKP faction and the leader of the SAADET Party, Mahmut Arıkan.
In addition, talks were held with leading representatives of the CHP, the DEVA party and the Yeni Refah Partisi (New Welfare Party). The delegation continued its talks by also meeting with the imprisoned former HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.
The DEM Party Imrali Delegation released a statement after meeting political parties. The statement on Friday reads as follows:
After our meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island on 28 December 2024, we conducted a series of talks based on the outcomes of that meeting and his expressed wishes. These included meetings with the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), political parties, and our political colleagues currently in prison.
Our visits and meetings began on 3 January with the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş, and continued with meetings with the leaders and representatives of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Future Party, Justice and Development Party (AKP), Felicity Party (SP), Republican People's Party (CHP), Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), and the Re-Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi).
On 11-12 January, we also met with our former co-chairs and political colleagues currently in prison, including Ms. Figen Yüksekdağ, Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş, Ms. Leyla Güven, and Mr. Selçuk Mızraklı.
This process of dialogue and exchange of ideas, which focuses on peace, has also been initiated with our co-chairs, party committees, the political parties and formations that make up our coalition, our allied political parties, and civil society organizations.
We would first like to extend our sincere gratitude and respect to all the political parties and their esteemed leaders who received us with courtesy and good will, shared their valuable opinions and suggestions, and expressed their concerns and criticisms in a highly constructive manner.
The main focus of our meeting agendas was to convey the results of our discussion with Mr. Öcalan and evaluate the new developments together. These discussions centered around finding a lasting solution to the Kurdish question and the resulting conflict, the historical responsibility to strengthen the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood, the obligations arising from the deep and irreversible developments in the Middle East, and the recognition of the Parliament and democratic politics as the most important platforms for resolving these issues.
Nearly all the meetings were positive, sincere, and encouraging. Leaders and their delegations expressed their principled support for a peace process. However, they also raised various concerns and made suggestions, primarily regarding the transparency of the process and the need for it to be conducted within the framework of the Parliament. Our delegation responded to these concerns and clarified ambiguities during the discussions.
Our impression from these meetings is that there is a shared desire and will among all political parties to move beyond the conflict and tension caused by the Kurdish question. There is a shared understanding that fostering the unity and brotherhood of all ethnic, religious, and sect groups in our country would benefit everyone. A parallel feeling is that the peace process should also contribute to general democratization and the expansion of the democratic political space.
Our discussions with our co-chairs and colleagues in prison were also highly constructive. They expressed their clear support for the role that Mr. Öcalan and the DEM Party will play in this process, and they stated that they are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in strengthening the political and social groundwork.
In this period when we are focusing on peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region, we find that divisive and prejudiced language in the media, along with the speculation it creates, complicates our work. We are aware that this process carries not only the expectations and hopes of everyone but also their concerns, sensitivities, and questions. Given this, fabricating baseless claims, circulating unfounded rumors, and creating morally questionable agendas can only amount to warmongering.
With all the positive impressions we have gathered, we will make every effort to visit Mr. Öcalan again as soon as possible and work toward achieving peace through sound methods.
The continued support of the public for these efforts will remain the most valuable cornerstone in building peace and finding a solution.[1]

Ahmet Turk , a veteran Kurdish politician and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) candidate for the mayor of #Mardin# , told Rudaw that they have begun unofficial talks with Turkish officials about resuming the long-stalled Kurdish peace process, but noted that ultimate power over the matter rests with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with his grip on state institutions.
“We have had some meetings with some personalities, but we do not have any official engagement with Erdogan. But we are meeting some personalities at the parliament,” Turk told Rudaw's Abdulsalam Akinci.
Speaking against the backdrop of March 31 municipal elections in Turkey, Turk, who was the mayor of Mardin in 2014 but was removed by the government and replaced by a trustee, said that March is a bittersweet month in Kurdish politics.
This is the month, he said, when Kurdish people celebrate their new year and also mark women's day on March 8 - something his party champions.
“But March is also when we experienced the darkest days of our party and the Kurdish people in 1994,” he said, referring to the year he and many of his fellow lawmakers were removed from the Turkish legislature. Turk was sentenced to a year in jail, but some of his colleagues stayed in prison for about ten years.
The Kurdish peace process to end decades of bloody conflict started in earnest about 20 years later, in 2013, between the Turkish government under then-Prime Minister Erdogan and the
Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The talks were supported by Kurdistan Region officials, including then-President Masoud Barzani, and were mediated by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), DEM Party’s sister party. The process collapsed in 2015, followed by intense urban fighting in Kurdish areas in the southeast of the country. More recently, the focus of the conflict has shifted across the border into the Kurdistan Region.
Some Turkish officials claim that the HDP is the political wing of the PKK. This is the reason for an ongoing legal case against the party. These accusations forced the HDP to rebrand itself as the DEM Party to avoid potential obstacles in 2023 general elections and the March 31 local vote.
The HDP’s former co-president Selahattin Demirtas, who was the main face of the now-collapsed peace process, recently called on the DEM party and the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party to meet and enter negotiations.
Turk said they have taken some steps to resume the talks, but the long road to full engagement with the AKP’s number one man, Erdogan, will take time and conditions are attached.
It should be noted that DEM Party spokesperson Aysegul Dogan has denied there are any talks ongoing about reviving the peace process.
Turk said they believe Erdogan, whose current mandate as head of the state runs until 2028, is not the only one who can address the Kurdish issue, but he is the one who is powerful enough to convince the deep state. However, as long as Erdogan is in a coalition with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Kurdish question will not be on their agenda.
Turk claimed that AKP, which at one time championed some opening towards the Kurdish
issue, has lost popular support for their coalition with the country’s ultra-nationalist MHP, which he said have penetrated the judiciary system.
He added that Erdogan’s government continued to deny the Kurdish people any achievement of their rights, even across borders with daily military attacks against Kurdish groups in northeast Syria (Rojava) or in the Kurdistan Region’s Qandil mountains. Any call for a peace process under such circumstances will be futile, according to Turk.
“We can't do anything about it. They bombard Rojava daily. Rojava has not fired a single bullet at Turkey. When they are hostile to the Kurds and do not want the Kurds to achieve their rights in any region and are hostile to the Kurds, we cannot make an appeal. Therefore, when they want to be with the Kurds, open their arms to the Kurds, start a dialogue, accept the Kurdish language and Kurdish identity, then we will call for an end to the armed conflict. Then we will do whatever we can. Today you see Kurds being targeted day and night in Rojava, in Qandil. How can we say that they should lay down their arms? Even if we say so, it will have no value. The foundation of the situation must be present. Without that foundation, nothing can be done with words,” said Turk.
Cengiz Candar, the veteran journalist who won a seat in the parliament for the DEM Party last year, told Rudaw earlier this month that Erdogan intends to write a new constitution, but will need Kurdish support to do so.
“So we, as the DEM Party and the Kurdish movement, must be brought into the conversation… And all of this brings to mind the possibility of the revival of the peace process,” Candar said.
Mehmet Halis Bilden, the AKP’s mayoral candidate for Diyarbakir in Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast, told Rudaw in early March that his party has already served the Kurdish language. He noted that previously people were banned from speaking Kurdish in public areas, something that his party changed, adding that they have even offered Kurdish language classes as elective subjects in public schools.
For the previous municipal and presidential elections, HDP entered into an alliance with the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). While Erdogan narrowly won the presidency, his AKP lost the mayorships of both Ankara and Istanbul.
Turk said their alliance with the CHP was “a political experiment” aimed at undermining the AKP and MHP coalition, but that CHP did not remain true to Kurdish voters, especially when they allied with what he called nationalist figures during the second round of the presidential vote.
He said that even if the CHP were to emerge victorious, “they do not have the power to influence the deep state.”
“We want dialogue and peace in this country. We have already said that armed conflict will not solve the problem. By meeting, we can resolve the Kurdish issue in a democratic way. Dialogue is necessary for us. We want to have a dialogue with everyone. Our demand is peace. Our desire is the brotherhood of nations. The CHP cannot convince the deep state. Someone like Erdogan, who today controls all the institutions, can do that, and solve the problem if he wants to. But the CHP cannot convince the deep state even if it wants to,” said Turk.
Claiming that the state-appointees who replaced elected officials in Kurdish areas have lost the AKP votes, Turk said he believes the government might think twice before trying something similar after the March 31 vote.
“Trustees closed the door of the municipalities to the people. Now, if you wish to visit the municipality building, you must seek police permission,” Turk said about the custodians running
municipalities like Mardin and Diyarbakir.
“If they deal with the Kurds as an enemy, Turkey will not become a democracy,” Turk said, adding that it is now time for a “new policy” in Turkey to address the Kurdish issue.[1]

DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan said, “We plan to visit İmralı Island as soon as possible. It is also highly likely that Mr. Öcalan will meet with representatives of various political parties in the coming days.”
Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), held a press conference at the party's headquarters regarding today’s Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting on the process and roadmap following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society”.

Ayşegül Doğan said that one of the main topics discussed at the MYK meeting was the commission planned to be established in the Parliament. She stated that a specially authorized commission should be established in the Parliament and called on Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to take the initiative in this regard.

'The Kurdish question is not just the Kurds' issue'

This is a very simple initiative. But it will require historical responsibility to resolve a very serious, very complicated, and very costly issue. That is why it requires a serious approach; this issue cannot be resolved with a simple approach. Mr. Kurtulmuş could gather the representatives of political parties before Parliament goes into recess to establish the committee and hold a ‘summit,’ as the political world likes to call it. Objections, criticisms, and suggestions might come out of that,” she added.

Ayşegül Doğan pointed out that; “The Kurdish question is not just the Kurds' issue. What we have experienced is proof of this. Therefore, when a democratic solution and peace are seen as a political, social, and humanitarian necessity, and when approached in this way, Parliament can take the initiative very quickly. As the DEM Party, we have preparations regarding the procedures, principles, and how the commission will operate. We have a draft and proposals in this regard.

'Meetings will continue'

Expressing the opposition parties' demands for “direct contact, communication, and information on the issue, as well as transparency,” Doğan noted that they also met with the AKP and MHP and that these meetings will continue.

Ayşegül Doğan further stated the following:

“We are not only meeting with political parties that are represented in Parliament. Meetings with different political parties that are not represented in Parliament are also ongoing and will continue in the new period.

Preparations to meet with Öcalan in İmralı

As the DEM Party, we are also preparing to visit İmralı Island as a delegation consisting of members of our Central Executive Committee, including our co-chairs. We plan to visit İmralı as soon as possible. We are preparing to meet with him (Abdullah Öcalan) directly and hold consultations in order to understand and explain this period and to organize ourselves more strongly. As a delegation from the DEM Party, we will visit him as soon as possible. It is also highly likely that Mr. Öcalan will meet with representatives of other political parties in the coming days.

Considering the scope and gravity of the issue, we believe that it would also be beneficial for him to meet with Mr. Massoud Barzani, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, Mr. Mazlum Abdi, Mr. Qubad Talabani, and Mr. Bafel Talabani. We are aware that he wishes to have these meetings. This is Mr. Öcalan's request. We also believe it would be beneficial. Bringing together leaders from different political parties and prominent figures is of great value, and necessary for the upcoming process.

Mr. Öcalan has presented a perspective document to his organization, a political program, so to speak. However, this document also shows that he is opening up a discussion that is not limited to his organization, the PKK. As the DEM Party, we must say that there is a great deal of effort, labor, determination, and resistance to build a new life.

This text is quite extensive, inviting the public to discuss and debate. It is a text that opens up space for dialogue and consultation and establishes a platform for discussion and debate. For this reason, we value criticism, responses, contributions, and support. This is precisely the space that Mr. Öcalan has called for: discussion, conversation, criticism, consultation, valuing speech, making it effective, and expanding its scope, reach, and resonance. This powerful text is currently being discussed by a broad public.

Direct contact with Öcalan

Ultimately, the text is being discussed and invites us to a new area within the framework of debate. What is in this text? There are touches on established patterns, traditional attitudes, and behaviors ranging from real socialism to sectarianism and perspectives on common life. That is why a very broad public opinion has formed. We believe that all segments that wish to establish direct contact with Öcalan should do so in order for this discussion to proceed in a healthier and more transparent manner.

This is not the first time we have said this. This text has once again demonstrated this need. In other words, if this area expands and free working conditions can be established, managing, implementing, and advancing the process will be much faster and healthier.

You are making history, starting a new era, and taking a very important initiative in this regard. With this initiative, you are also taking certain risks. And only those who take risks can minimize them. That is why this field must be opened up. For the process to move forward and gain momentum, direct contact must be established with everyone involved. This is something we have already been hoping and expecting to happen.[1]

Speaking about her party's meeting, #DEM Party# Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan said, “Opposition parties, the ruling bloc, everyone should approach the democratic process with seriousness and responsibility, aware of the gravity of the situation.”
DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan made a press statement regarding the Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting held at the party's headquarters in Ankara on Tuesday. Referring to the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, Doğan said that the democratic space in Turkey has narrowed since that date.

Saying that “today is another day of reckoning,” Doğan stated that Turkey is at a new crossroads and added: “It is time to learn from the mistakes of the past and develop a new approach. Turkey is on the threshold of a new path, or rather, we are right at the heart of this threshold.”

Referring to the PKK's disarmament ceremony held on July 11, Doğan said that this process was a historic step toward peace: “It went down in history as a day none of us will ever forget. It is a day that will always be remembered in history for its various impacts. We would like to thank all parties who pioneered and contributed to the historic steps taken on July 11. We are aware of the responsibility of this historic step, taken toward the democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue through the complete disarmament of weapons. With the dissolution of the PKK and the decisions of the May 12 Congress, the strategy of armed struggle against denial of existence has been replaced, as they themselves have stated, by a democratic political strategy, a program for peace and democratic society, and a comprehensive approach for law. We are in favor of resolving Turkey's problems through dialogue and negotiation channels, and we are fighting for this. Complete disarmament, ensuring its permanence, and strengthening the democratic political arena require swift action without delay. All necessary mechanisms must be established. As seen in recent statements, the (parliamentary) commission will be established. We welcome this development with satisfaction.”

Doğan emphasized that the parliamentary commission must be inclusive and pluralistic: “All political parties should contribute to this commission. As the DEM Party, we reiterate this call. The commission should work in a way that will yield effective and lasting results.”

Responding to criticism directed at her party, Ayşegül Doğan emphasized that the DEM Party's position is clear, saying: We are in favor of negotiation and dialogue. We defend the establishment of equal citizenship rights in Turkey. We have always valued criticism and suggestions. We approach this issue not out of concern for voters or votes, but with a principled stance.

Stating that the peace and resolution process cannot be placed solely on the shoulders of the DEM Party, Doğan called on all political actors to take responsibility and said, “We all have the right to peace and democracy. You don’t have to be a member of the DEM Party for this, but you need to approach it with a sense of responsibility. Everyone should take a stand in this process.”

Appealing to the entire society, Doğan said: “It is possible to have a Turkey where everyone feels secure under the law. To this end, we are reaching out to women, young people, workers, and all marginalized social groups. Together, we can build the rule of law.”

Ayşegül Doğan also responded to journalists' questions regarding Abdullah Öcalan's physical freedom, stating that the issue was clear from the DEM Party's perspective. She said: In the second video message, Öcalan talks about his own situation in relation to the freedom of society and says that when society is free, the individual is also free. That is how I would respond. All anti-democratic practices must end, and the status quo in Imrali must not be maintained. In his video message, he himself stated that some meetings had taken place in Imrali. His statements regarding the discussions directed at him are quite clear. Yes, his physical freedom has been demanded since the very first day in 1999. This is not merely what the organization he founded desires. We encounter this demand on the ground. He has directly answered this question.”[1]

Commenting on the PKK's announcement of its congress decisions, DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan said, “One era is ending, and the door to a new era full of hope is opening for all of us.”
The People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) convened its Central Executive Committee (MYK) following the decisions of the PKK's 12th congress, announced earlier today.

Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan made a statement regarding the meeting at the party headquarters in Ankara, saying: “Our MYK meeting goes beyond a routine meeting and carries great meaning and importance. We began by paying deep respect to all our people who lost their lives in the long period of conflict. We reaffirmed our commitment to building our shared future, carrying our collective grief in our hearts and safeguarding the memory of all those we have lost as a sacred trust, without distinction. Today, for the first time, our Central Executive Committee began its meeting with a moment of silence in honor of this commitment.”

'We are aware of our responsibility in this process of change and transformation'

Referring to the PKK's decision to disband and disarm, Doğan further stated the following: “The PKK announced its dissolution. Actually, it was an expected decision because immediately after the February 27 call, PKK leaders announced in their statements that they would fulfill the requirements of this call if the conditions were met. We emphasize the historic significance of this decision. This is not just a dissolution decision. It is a new process of construction that invites everyone to democratic change and transformation. As the DEM Party, we emphasize that this decision is therefore very important. A period is coming to an end. Yes, the door to a new period full of hope is opening for all of us. We are not merely witnessing a new history; we are also aspiring to write a new history. Therefore, the decisions we will make today at the Central Executive Committee meeting and the roadmap we will draw up are being discussed with the seriousness that will shape not only this moment but also the future of the country. We are aware of our responsibility in this process of change and transformation, and we are ready. We believe that all the work we will do in the coming period will strengthen the foundations for a peaceful life together. We sincerely hope that the decisions announced today will bring benefits to all of us, especially mothers, children, young people, and future generations. This development has opened the door wide to a political solution to the Kurdish question, which has been causing us pain for years and breaking our hearts every day.

Everything that has been presented as an obstacle to the democratic resolution of the Kurdish question, everything that has been brought to the table as an excuse time and time again, now seems to have been removed because the PKK announced today that it is laying down its arms. We must not squander this great opportunity. We must not say, “If only.” We must be able to say, “We did the right thing.” We must be able to say, “We built the century of the peoples together.” This is a heavy and sacred responsibility on our shoulders. Therefore, we must all approach it with care.

‘Mr. Öcalan's decades-long efforts for a democratic solution are now bearing fruit’

Another important point we would like to emphasize here is that, despite the conspiracies, assassination attempts, sabotage, provocations, and years of isolation, Mr. Öcalan's decades-long efforts for a democratic solution are now bearing fruit. When we recall the circumstances, the past periods, the failed processes, the provocations, and the historical background behind them, the fact that this has been achieved and has come to light today should not be evaluated as a decision, but rather approached in this manner. We would like to express our satisfaction with the statements made by the ruling party on this issue up to this point. As far as we have been able to follow, the initial statements made so far have been positive. However, we will continue to monitor the coming days and the days that follow.

‘We need to unite our forces to make this historic opportunity permanent’

We are now faced with the responsibility of establishing equal citizenship and an egalitarian law of brotherhood on the basis of democratic politics. That is why what happens from now on concerns everyone, from those in power to those in opposition. This is a great responsibility. This step, taken after 53 years of painful history, is the cry of the peoples' desire to live together, the Kurdish people's longing for a peaceful solution, and the demand for equal citizenship. It should be seen this way. As the DEM Party, we see today's decision as a brand-new opportunity based on peace, democracy, and freedom. We invite everyone to come together around this opportunity. We need to come together and unite our forces to make this historic opportunity permanent. Our tasks are now clear. We are talking about a period where words, not weapons, will speak.

‘We are faced with the task and historic responsibility of building a democratic republic’

We are faced with the task and historic responsibility of building a democratic republic where law and politics prevail. One of the most important addresses for this is, of course, the Parliament. We have been saying this for quite some time. Because the Grand National Assembly of Turkey is faced with the responsibility of doing the most beneficial work of the century. Our hope is that the Parliament will take on this responsibility thoroughly and approach it in this manner. We are faced with a historic moral obligation, not only toward politics but also toward the social dynamics of society. That is why we are appealing to politics and the entire society; we all have a role to play in this process. We can all contribute to this process with our criticism, suggestions, and constructive contributions because we want to build a democratic republic together.

‘Peace is no longer a dream’

Peace is no longer a dream. Peace is no longer just a possibility. Peace is no longer just a topic we can talk about. It has gone far beyond that. If we want it, if we can do it, if we unite our forces, we can achieve great social peace.

As the DEM Party, we invite everyone, every single person, to break their mold. We invite you to take a position in conformance with the seriousness of this opportunity. This process is not one of concession or surrender, nor is it one of victory or defeat. This process is one of building a peaceful and democratic society.

'We need to act quickly and reinforce the process through law'

There is no need to rush, but we need to act quickly because processes like this are inherently fragile. To prevent fragility, we need to act quickly without rushing and reinforce the process through law. To this end, the responsibilities of various institutions and society need to be fulfilled. That is why we must guard this process.

Mr. Öcalan is under isolation. You cannot ask him questions at this moment. There is no direct contact or communication. We have repeatedly stated that these conditions must change. We have stated that he must be allowed to work freely and participate in this process actively. We hope that this will happen in the coming period. In the meantime, we do not have answers to your questions regarding Qandil. We do not have any details beyond the decisions announced to the public. Apart from that, there is nothing new to add to the roadmap I have shared so far.”[1]

Turkey’s President reaffirmed his commitment to drafting a new constitution on Tuesday, just days after he had asserted that he does not intend to seek another term in office. Recep Tayyip Erdogan also praised Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (#DEM Party# ) for adopting “a responsible tone” on the issue.
The state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Erdogan as stating, We are determined to add a new constitution to the inventory of our dear nation,” that will “serve as proof that Turkish politics has matured.”
The Turkish president announced that he has “assigned 10 legal experts to begin their work, and with this effort, we will proceed with the preparations for the new constitution.”
“For 23 years, we have repeatedly demonstrated our sincere intention to crown our democracy with a new civilian and libertarian constitution,” he stressed.
Erdogan, who heads Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has led Turkey for 22 years - first as prime minister from 2003, then as president since 2014.
The current constitution allows presidents to serve a maximum of two terms but permits a third run only if early elections are called during the second term. Unless the constitution is amended or early elections are held, Erdogan cannot run again.
On Thursday, he reaffirmed that he does not intend to seek re-election, noting, “We want the new constitution not for ourselves, but our country.”
Highlighting his collaboration with Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Erdogan stressed their joint efforts toward a terror-free Turkey, which he said would advance the nation’s diplomacy, economy, and freedoms.
Importantly, on Friday, Bahceli had urged Erdogan to seek re-election despite the current constitutional ban.
A 2017 referendum granted Erdogan expanded powers but maintained the two-term limit. To hold another referendum, he would need support from at least 360 of the 600-member parliament. Currently, he has backing from 321 legislators, including MHP members. Securing 400 votes would allow a direct constitutional amendment.
On Tuesday as well, Erdogan encouraged all political parties in Turkey to take part in the process, emphasizing that “the DEM Party has adopted a very responsible tone on this issue.”
The DEM Party has long advocated for a new constitution. In late March, DEM Party MP Salihe Aydeniz told Rudaw, “The current constitution does not represent all people nor does it acknowledge all languages,” referring to Kurdish among others.
The party has also gained prominence recently for mediating peace efforts between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), aiming to resolve the decades-long conflict that has claimed around 40,000 lives.
Some analysts argue that Erdogan’s push to mend fences with the PKK is partially geared to garner Kurdish support for re-election.[1]

Title: Identity, Politics, Organization: A Historical Sociology of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Kurdish Nationalist Movement
Author: Mohammad Nasser Jahani Asl
Place of publication: Canada
Publisher: University of Victoria
Release date: 2017

The struggle of the Kurdish nation in Iran entered a new phase of modern nationalist movement since World War II, especially since the establishment of the Society for the Revival of Kurdistan (J.K.) in 1942. The J.K. was then transformed into the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which later changed its name to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in 1945. This dissertation addresses a major gap in the existing research about the study of Iranian Kurdish nationalism spearheaded by the PDKI. Offering a historical sociology, the dissertation argues that this movement should be understood within the context of the state-building process in Iran and nationalist and national liberation movements in the world. It offers, for the first time and in any language, the most extensively researched and detailed history of the PDKI, its struggles for Kurdish national rights, its programs, organizational structure, political strategies, achievements, internal conflicts, numerous splits and unifications, women’s status within it, and its relations with other parties. It critically analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the PDKI.

The methodological components include: literature review, discourse analysis, content analysis, snowball sampling, in-depth, open-ended interviews with 29 high-ranking activists, archival research, fieldwork conducted in the Iraqi Kurdistan and in Europe, Internet research, and statistical data. Sources used were in English, Persian, Kurdish, and Turkish. While the PDKI has championed a democratic Kurdish nationalist movement, it has heavily undermined the democratic principles within and outside the party and underestimated women’s potential within the movement. In order for the PDKI to re-emerge as a party in sync with our times, it needs to undergo a radical reform and democratize its internal and external relations.[1]

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani on Sunday received a pro-Kurdish delegation to discuss the Kurdish issue in Turkey and renewed efforts for peace with the delegation having recently met jailed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan twice.
“The guest delegation expressed their views on the political situation and the peace process in Turkey and the details and results of their meeting with Mr. Abdullah Ocalan … and also conveyed the contents of the message of Mr. Abdullah Ocalan to President Barzani,” a statement from Barzani’s office said.
The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) delegation included lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Sirri Sureyya Onder, who have met Ocalan twice since December.
During the meeting, Barzani “stressed the importance of the peace process as the only correct path to reach a solution,” the statement said, and he called on “all parties to intensify their efforts to reach a conclusion” while offering his assistance in the process.
The DEM Party is mediating talks between the Turkish state and the PKK in a bid to end hostilities. Details of the process are unclear but the pro-Kurdish party’s officials have said it aims to bring peace to the country.
The delegation is also set to meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday, before departing to Sulaimani to meet Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani and the Kurdistan Region’s Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, according to a DEM Party statement.
Turkish officials chiefly view the DEM Party as the political wing of the PKK, but the party has denied any ties with the armed group.
The PKK has said that it will not heed any calls from Ocalan to lay down arms unless he physically meets with their leadership and is released from jail.
Founded in 1978, the PKK initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now advocates for autonomy. Turkey classifies the group as a terrorist organization.[1]

[1]