08.02.2026 15:30
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan responded to claims that he called MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli to apologize for his speech in Nusaybin. Bakırhan denied the allegations, stating, "There has been no meeting with Mr. Bahçeli recently. However, such a meeting would be beneficial in achieving peace. If the aim is to hinder negotiation and dialogue with such operational news, they will not succeed."
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan evaluated MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's statement, "Anatolia will be at peace, Öcalan will be hopeful, the Ahmets will return to their positions, and Demirtaş will return to his nest until our decision is clear," as "a critical statement that ensures the process becomes the main agenda again." Bakırhan also denied claims that he called Devlet Bahçeli to apologize for his speech in Nusaybin.
"A CRITICAL STATEMENT THAT ENSURES THE PROCESS BECOMES THE MAIN AGENDA"
Bakırhan assessed Devlet Bahçeli's statement, "Anatolia will be at peace, Öcalan will be hopeful, the Ahmets will return to their positions, and Demirtaş will return to his nest until our decision is clear." When reminded of Bahçeli's statement and asked, "What will be its effect on the process?" Bakırhan replied:
"What Mr. Bahçeli said in his group meeting regarding the right to hope, trustees, and Mr. Demirtaş is important. This is a critical statement that ensures the process, which has been muted for a while due to the Syrian agenda, becomes the main agenda again. With an emphasis, we can say it is a second 22 October. With the steps mentioned by Mr. Bahçeli, the developments in Syria and the commission process will open the way for the peace and democratic society process, which has been muted for a while. In these days when we need to return to the agenda of the process, it is necessary for the government to take pioneering and accelerating steps."
On the other hand, we also listened to Mr. Bahçeli's call and concerns directed towards our party. We are sure that Mr. Bahçeli and the MHP members know best how persistent and stubborn we are in our demand for peace. We both intellectually and wholeheartedly support Mr. Öcalan's Call of the Century made on February 27. We have done and will continue to do our best to turn this call into peace. In this context, the aspect of Mr. Bahçeli's statements that concerns us is clear. We will do our part. However, it is the common expectation and demand of all of us that the government takes the steps mentioned by Mr. Bahçeli that will accelerate and open the way for the process."
DENIED CLAIMS OF "APOLOGIZED TO BAHÇELİ"
Bakırhan responded to journalist Çiçek's question, "Recently, it was written on social media and some news sites that you called Devlet Bahçeli to apologize for your speech in Nusaybin. Is the news true? Did you apologize to Mr. Bahçeli?" as follows:
"Politics cannot be without dialogue; meeting and exchanging ideas is fundamental to politics. When the time and place come, we will certainly meet with Mr. Bahçeli. The country needs peace, democracy, and common sense. For this need, contact and meetings are fundamentally possible and should be. However, there has been no meeting with Mr. Bahçeli recently. But it would be beneficial for achieving peace. If the aim is to obstruct negotiation and dialogue with such operational news, they will not succeed."