23.10.2025 15:10
The leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, clarified the expression "founding leader," which he mentioned during the process of a terrorism-free Turkey and which sparked discussions. Bahçeli stated, "If our language is harsh during the process, the line between the two sides will become crooked. Then, it becomes difficult to reach the goal. That is why I used the term 'Founding Leader.'"
The Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, stated that the expression "founding leader" he used for the terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan was misunderstood, clarifying the discussions. Bahçeli also evaluated his remarks regarding the accession of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to Turkey.
EXPLANATION OF THE "FOUNDING LEADER" EXPRESSION
Bahçeli's use of the term 'founding leader' for the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, had sparked public debate. Speaking to Oda TV, the MHP leader expressed that the expression in question was taken out of context and interpreted differently.
Describing the process of a terror-free Turkey as "a straight line between two points," Bahçeli stated, "If the line between these two points is straight, everything is understood more clearly. If our language is harsh during the process, the line between the two points becomes crooked. Then, it becomes difficult to reach the target. That’s why I used the term 'Founding Leader.' No one will be a loser or a winner here. The process is progressing beautifully, and the winner will be the Republic of Turkey," he said.
THE "TRNC SHOULD JOIN TURKEY" REMARK
Bahçeli also explained the reason behind his statement "The TRNC should join Turkey" made after the elections in Northern Cyprus.
Noting that discussions on "Federation or a two-state solution" intensified on television channels before the elections, Bahçeli used the following expressions:
"I made a statement immediately because I thought that the victory of a candidate advocating the idea of federation should not turn that tiny spark of federation into a big fire."
"FEDERATION IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR TURKEY"
Bahçeli stated that the idea of federation poses serious risks for Turkey and continued his remarks as follows:
"If this becomes an expectation, it creates a very dangerous situation for Turkey. Federation initiatives in the TRNC also trigger the forces aiming for federation in Syria. This is unacceptable for Turkey. In this context, the best decision will be for the TRNC to join Turkey."