ANKARA – DEM Party MP Cengiz Candar stated that Abdullah Öcalan is the central actor in the ongoing process and emphasized that Turkey must change its policy toward Syrian Kurds. “Putting the Syrian issue in front of the domestic process is like putting the cart before the horse,” he said. 

 

Following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for peace and a democratic society on 27 February, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission was established in the Parliament. While the Commission has so far listened to many people, it has not taken a single concrete step. 

 

Again, Abdullah Öcalan, who is recognised by the Kurdish people as the chief negotiator of the process, was not heard by the commission. In the public opinion, it is often commented that the process has turned into a "distraction".

 

Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about Öcalan’s role, the government’s attitude, and potential paths toward a political solution, Çandar stressed that the initiative launched on February 27 with the call for a “Peace and Democratic Society” places Öcalan at its core.

 

He noted that Turkish Nationalist Movement (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli’s repeated references to Öcalan as a “founding leader” and his frequent public interventions demonstrate Öcalan’s centrality. “This process would not have begun without the involvement of both Öcalan and Bahçeli,” Çandar said.

 

‘PARTS OF THE STATE RECOGNIZE ÖCALAN’S ROLE’

 

Çandar stated that while some elements within the state fully recognize Öcalan’s role, certain segments of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) remain hesitant. He attributed this hesitation to internal political calculations and the centralized presidential system under President Erdoğan, which affects how confidently and quickly the process moves forward.

Despite this, Çandar pointed to signs that the AKP can support the process — referring to symbolic gestures at the opening of Parliament and Erdoğan’s subsequent engagement with DEM Party representatives, and said, “It is important for political actors to keep hope alive.”

 

‘COMMISSION MUST ACCELERATE LEGAL GROUNDWORK’

 

Regarding the parliamentary commission established to give legal form to the process, Çandar said its main purpose is to prepare the legislative framework for the post-disarmament phase. He underlined that this includes drafting a Return Law and other legal guarantees to allow those in exile or prison to reintegrate into civic and political life.

Çandar criticized the commission for progressing too slowly: “The commission must act faster. Thousands of people are waiting for reintegration, and the legal basis for peace should be established without delay.”

 

‘MEDIA’S TOXIC LANGUAGE HARMS THE PROCESS’

 

Touching on the stance of opposition parties and the media, Çandar praised CHP members who joined the commission despite internal resistance, noting that the CHP is a broad party with both nationalist and pro-solution wings.

However, he criticized mainstream media outlets for their “toxic and hostile rhetoric” toward Kurds, warning that such language fuels prejudice, weakens public trust, and undermines the peace process itself.

 

‘TURKEY MUST ADOPT A NEW POLICY TOWARD SYRIAN KURDS’

 

On Ankara’s position toward the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES / Rojava), Çandar called for a more constructive and pragmatic approach: “Syria’s Kurds are not strangers to us. Family and village ties cross the border. Turkey should view Syrian Kurds as part of the wider Kurdish community and embrace them rather than alienate them. Otherwise, you push them into others’ spheres of influence.”

 

He warned that using developments in Syria as a pretext to delay the domestic process would be a mistake: “Progress within Turkey will have a positive impact on Syria. To make Syria the reason for hesitation is to move backward.”

 

Çandar compared the situation to Turkey’s evolving relationship with Iraqi Kurds, saying: “Twenty years ago, Ankara viewed the Kurdistan Regional Government as a threat. Today, it’s a partner. A similar transformation toward Syrian Kurds is both possible and necessary.”

 

‘RECONCILIATION STRENGTHENS TURKEY’

 

Discussing the regional dimension, Çandar said that genuine reconciliation between Turks and Kurds would make Turkey stronger and more stable in a turbulent region.

He warned that external actors, including Israel and Iran, may prefer to see the process fail, but insisted that “Turkey and Kurdish actors have the agency to succeed” if they act with political will and courage.

 

‘ALL POLITICAL ACTORS SHOULD MEET ÖCALAN’

 

In conclusion, Çandar called on other political leaders and parties to meet Abdullah Öcalan directly: “Öcalan is the main actor of this process. If AKP, CHP, MHP and other parties meet him face-to-face, they can better understand his reasoning and intentions.”

 

He added that such meetings would also break the long-standing stigma surrounding Öcalan’s name and help socialize and legitimize the peace process across political and social divides.

 

MA / Mehmet Aslan