22.01.2026 14:50
The recent increase in political tension between the MHP and the DEM Party has gained a new dimension with mutual harsh statements. MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın responded to the remarks of DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan targeting Bahçeli, stating, "We strongly reject the low-level tone he has adopted regarding our esteemed Chairman. We tell Bakırhan to 'know his limits'."
MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın described the politics pursued by the DEM Party as "ethnic separatism" in a post on his social media account. Yalçın argued that the politics carried out by the DEM Party through Kurdish identity did not resonate within society and called on the party to abandon this stance.
"BAKIRHAN, KNOW YOUR LIMIT"
In his post, Semih Yalçın also responded harshly to the statements made by DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan targeting MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli. Yalçın defined the tone used as "low-level," stating, "We strongly reject the low-level tone adopted by DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan out of his disappointment. We say to Bakırhan, 'Know your limit'."
"WE STAND FOR PEACE, WE ARE NOT SWAYED"
DEM Party Spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan, in a program she attended, responded to Devlet Bahçeli's words, "Are you with the founding leader of the PKK, or against him?" Doğan stated, "We stand for peace and democracy, we are not swayed. As the DEM Party, we are trying to put forth all efforts under extraordinary conditions for the realization of the February 27 call."
WHAT DID BAKIRHAN SAY TO BAHÇELİ?
DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan also reacted to Bahçeli's statement, "The SDG does not represent the Kurds," during his party's group meeting. Bakırhan said, "Gentlemen are deciding who represents whom. They say, 'Do not speak your language, do not have your status.' Are we supposed to ask you who represents whom? The SDG certainly represents the Kurds. The autonomous administration represents all the people there. You cannot make this judgment. If you put the ballot box, can you get the consent of this society? You cannot. Who do you actually represent? Mr. Devlet Bahçeli says, 'the founding leader of the PKK,' but he does not do what he says, he says, 'Every inch must be cleaned and dried.' Are you a dry cleaner?"