Political negotiations scheduled between DEM Party and Ocalan, set for next week

In a significant development, the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has announced plans to travel to İmralı prison next week, marking the first visit in ten years to meet with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The visit is part of the government's "terror-free Türkiye" campaign, but the DEM Party has not commented on this aspect. Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan made the announcement at a press briefing in Ankara on Sept. 9.

The purpose of the visit is to continue contacts with Öcalan, as the DEM Party aims to take new steps towards democratization and abandon anti-democratic practices. Doğan emphasized that building something new requires breaking out of old habits.

However, Doğan opposes the removal of CHP's Istanbul administration, deeming it an unlawful situation. She considers the removal as an extension of anti-democratic practices and renewed the party's call for a parliamentary commission to oversee the process and meet with Öcalan.

Doğan did not mention any plans for a visit to İmrali prison or any meetings with Öcalan in the given paragraph. The DEM Party delegation will include co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, along with central executive committee members.

Not meeting with Öcalan could lead to a loss of focus, Doğan stated, but she did not discuss the specific names of the delegation members in the available sources. The last meeting between the DEM Party and Öcalan took place on Aug. 28.

Doğan also criticizes the appointment of trustees to municipalities, undermining the will of the people. She opposes any anti-democratic practices, regardless of the political party they target.

The new peace initiative aims to take new steps towards democratization, but it remains to be seen how the DEM Party's visit to Öcalan will contribute to this goal. The visit next weekend promises to be a significant event in the ongoing peace process in Türkiye.

Political negotiations scheduled between DEM Party and Ocalan, set for next week