DEM Party Meets Three Turkish Parties to Discuss Peace Process

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a bid to advance a new peace process in Turkey, a delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has initiated discussions with key Turkish political factions.

The delegation’s second round of meetings, which commenced on March 10, continued on Wednesday, with visits to the Saadet Party (Felicity Party), the Future Party (Gelecek Partisi), and the Workers' Party of Turkey.

According to an official announcement, the DEM Party’s co-chairs, Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan, led the delegation in these critical talks. At the heart of their discussions is the groundbreaking message from Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has the potential to reshape the Kurdish political landscape and redefine the trajectory of the peace process in Turkey.

Ocalan's message, which was publicly read on Feb. 27, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in Kurdish political history. During a press conference, Ahmed Turk, the dismissed mayor of Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, delivered Ocalan’s statement in Kurdish, emphasizing a call for the dissolution of the PKK.

Ocalan’s message underscored that the PKK was originally formed as a response to the suppression of democratic avenues, but that now, "the language of peace and democracy needs to be advanced." He further declared, "The PKK needs to lay down arms, hold a congress, and dissolve itself. I take responsibility for this decision."

The DEM Party delegation's outreach is aimed at garnering political consensus on this transition. The meetings with the Saadet Party, the Future Party, and the Workers' Party of Turkey are expected to set the stage for broader political engagement. Additionally, the DEM Party has scheduled further discussions with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Monday. These meetings are part of a concerted effort to shape the post-Ocalan message phase and facilitate meaningful dialogue on peace and reconciliation.

The implications of this peace process are significant, as the potential dissolution of the PKK could lead to a new era of Kurdish-Turkish relations. However, the success of this initiative depends on how Turkish political parties and the government respond to Ocalan’s call and whether they are willing to take concrete steps toward a sustainable resolution.

As the DEM Party continues its diplomatic efforts, all eyes are on the upcoming meetings with the MHP and AK Party. The coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether this renewed peace process gains traction or faces the challenges of political division and historical grievances. The region awaits with cautious optimism as these discussions unfold.