DEVA/ Mehmet Emin Ekmen: Is Bahçeli the Key to the Peace Process and Democratic Politics?

This week, Devlet Bahçeli — often seen as a secondary figure in Turkish politics — seemed to steal the spotlight from Erdoğan. First, he called for a swift conclusion to the İmamoğlu trial, then sparked controversy by saying, “Appointing a trustee to CHP is neither necessary nor reasonable.” With these remarks, Bahçeli introduced two heavily loaded concepts into the political arena. What is he trying to do?  In a very thought provocing op-ed DEVA Party VP Erkmen expplains Bahceli’is vision:

DEVA Party Deputy Chair Mehmet Emin Ekmen, writing in Perspektif, interprets Bahçeli’s move as a historic turning point. According to Ekmen, Bahçeli’s call for the PKK to lay down arms and his proposals for democratic reform offer not only the promise of domestic peace, but also a potential solution to Turkey’s ongoing economic, legal, and societal crises. However, the success of the process, he cautions, depends on broad societal legitimacy and civic participation.

Ekmen describes Bahçeli’s outreach to the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and his call on PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to disarm as a “bold step” that seeks to reconcile state rationality with peace efforts in Turkey’s decades-old Kurdish question.

In his article, Ekmen asserts that “this initiative could not only ensure domestic peace, but also transform Turkey into a global power—economically, diplomatically, and politically.”

He emphasizes the significance of this potential shift:

“Solving a conflict rooted in more than forty years of violence and terror—parallel to our century-old state tradition—will not only achieve internal peace but will also elevate Turkey among the world’s leading nations in economic, diplomatic, and political terms.”

Bahçeli’s Unique Vision: From Security to Structural Transformation

Bahçeli’s initiative diverges from international conflict resolution models (like South Africa, Colombia, or Ireland), offering a distinctly Turkish roadmap. Ekmen attributes this originality to Bahçeli’s leadership and consistent rhetoric.

He summarizes Bahçeli’s proposed framework with the following pillars:

• Public consent

• Central role of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM)

• Democratization and reform packages

• Expansion of the political sphere

• Checks and balances between branches of government

• Establishing judicial impartiality and independence

• Amendments to the Political Parties Law

These themes, according to Ekmen, form the philosophical and political basis of Bahçeli’s approach and reveal a demand to reshape the Republic for its second century. Bahçeli’s reform proposals aim not only for the disarmament of the PKK but also for a comprehensive transformation of the state itself.

Especially notable is his emphasis on the phrase:

“All who are bound to the Republic of Turkey by citizenship are equal,”
—a proposed inclusive reinterpretation of Article 66 of the Constitution. Ekmen says this vision breaks away from the MHP’s traditional security-centered stance, aligning instead with the principles found in modern conflict resolution literature.

Legitimacy and Guarantee: Bahçeli’s Strategic Role

By engaging in sincere dialogue with the DEM Party and suggesting Öcalan speak before Parliament, Bahçeli has strengthened the process’s legitimacy in both Turkish and Kurdish communities.

Ekmen highlights Bahçeli’s role as a “guarantor,” noting that this position both prepares nationalist constituencies for the transition and builds trust among Kurds.

One striking observation in the article reads:

“While everyone notes how Bahçeli’s support facilitates the process from the perspective of nationalist sociology and the state bureaucracy, Bahçeli has gone further—he has shaped the philosophy of the process and established its legitimacy and credibility not just among Turks, but among Kurds as well.”

According to Ekmen, Bahçeli’s slogan “embracing the Kurds is essential; fighting terrorism is fundamental” draws a clear line between Kurdish identity and terrorism, offering an inclusive political language that helps strengthen the social foundation of the process.

Reform Proposals and the “Turkey Party” Concept

Bahçeli’s reform proposals form a cornerstone of Ekmen’s article. A new constitution, judicial independence, separation of powers, amendments to the Political Parties Law, and an ethical code for politics collectively present a far-reaching vision for democratization in Turkey.

Ekmen conveys Bahçeli’s idea of a “Turkey Party” as follows:

“Being a Turkey party means more than just being founded according to the Political Parties Law. It means loyalty to the Republic of Turkey, shared history and culture, and a collective will to live together. In this light, all parties must renounce violence, sever ties with armed groups, and engage in politics based on democratic legitimacy.”

This concept champions a politics based not on ethnic or regional identity, but on shared values. Ekmen emphasizes that this inclusive approach marks a departure—and innovation—within the MHP’s traditional line.

Weak Points and Implementation Challenges

Ekmen acknowledges that while Bahçeli’s vision is theoretically strong, its lack of clear implementation mechanisms is a weak link. If the process remains overly leader-centric and lacks broad societal representation, it may struggle to establish legitimacy.

He states:

“The weakest aspects of this vision are the uncertainties surrounding implementation and the limited scope of social representation.”

Ekmen argues that the process must be supported by bottom-up social dialogue, not just top-down political declarations.

The Century of Turkey and a Historic Opportunity

Ekmen believes that Bahçeli’s reform proposals could go beyond resolving the Kurdish issue, acting as a key to overcoming Turkey’s crises of economic fragility, legal collapse, and social polarization. If the process progresses with civic engagement and social legitimacy, it could spark structural transformation in the Republic’s second century.

A Defining Moment?

Mehmet Emin Ekmen’s article in Perspektif frames Bahçeli’s “Terror-Free Turkey” call as a potential turning point in Turkey’s journey toward peace and democratization.

Bahçeli’s consistent and forward-thinking vision could transcend the MHP’s traditional line and help shape the direction of Turkey’s next century.

Yet the process’s success depends on tangible steps, widespread social participation, and the inclusion of civil actors.

Ekmen closes his piece with this hopeful note:

“Every effort in Turkey where the pursuit of peace meets state wisdom contains historic opportunities. With Bahçeli’s call, this evolving process now resembles a roadmap—one that could, in this context, mark a defining threshold for shaping the course of the second century.”