Bahçeli calls for official role for Öcalan: Political coordination of peace process is Öcalan's right

Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party, answered journalists' questions on October 10 at the opening ceremony of the 24th "Politics and Leadership School" of the party, according to Kurdistan Press. He spoke about the current process of resolving the Kurdish issue and the future role of Abdullah Öcalan.According to reports published in Euronews and the Independent Turkish, Bahçeli said that within the framework of the institutions and mechanisms foreseen for the process, those who are ready to accept responsibility should be given responsibility.

He continued, referring directly to Öcalan, saying: “One of these responsibilities is to coordinate the politicization of the peace process. This responsibility is the right of the person who is in Imrali.”

Bahçeli considered granting this position to Öcalan as part of the process of ending the PKK’s armed activities and said: “By giving him this title, the ground should be prepared for its complete dissolution, laying down of arms, ending the rebellion against the state and renouncing the use of violence in politics.”

He added that he considered the positions announced by Imrali on February 27 to be “coherent and valuable” and believed that society should provide the possibility of continuing the current policy of the Republic of Turkey with full support.In his speech, the MHP leader referred to Öcalan's February 27, 2025 statement, which called on the PKK to end the armed struggle, lay down its weapons and dissolve its organizational structure.

Stating that the so-called "Turkey without terrorism" policy has now become the official policy of the state, Bahçeli said that this process is progressing in the executive, legislative and judicial spheres.

He emphasized that it is not possible to turn back from the current process and said: "There is no turning back in the fight against terrorism. It is also not possible to accept a setback. For this reason, everyone who loves this country must act in a spirit of brotherhood."

According to Bahçeli, Turkey has passed an important stage in this process and now it is necessary to avoid words and actions that could lead the country to a deadlock, division or conflict again.The National Movement Party leader, referring to the approval of the law related to the process in the Turkish parliament, said that after the overwhelming vote of the deputies on this law, the institutions and mechanisms foreseen in it should now be formed and begin their activities.

He emphasized that if individuals or parties want to accept responsibility to advance the process, they should be given the necessary responsibility. In this context, Bahçeli proposed the role of “coordinator of politicization” for Öcalan.

These words were interpreted as suggesting an official position for Öcalan in the transition stage from armed activity to politics; a topic that Bahçeli had previously raised under the title of “coordinator of the peace process and politicization”.

Bahçeli also said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in cooperation with the parliament and with “serious will”, is pursuing the peace process.He expressed hope that the continuation of this policy would lead Turkey away from violence and conflict and transform it into a country where peace, brotherhood and social stability prevail.

The MHP leader stressed that his party's position on the process has not changed and that the party still stands behind the statements it has made since the beginning of the process.