National-right MHP, Kurdish-oriented DEM Party complete first ever Eid exchange
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli shakes hands with DEM Party member Ahmet Turk following private meeting at the Turkish Parliament, Ankara. January 2025. Widely interpreted as a pivotal moment in MHP and DEM Party normalizing ties. (IHA Photo)
On the second day of the Ramadan holiday, a first Eid visit between the political parties of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) took place on Monday. For the first time, delegations from the MHP and the DEM Party visited each other for Eid greetings.
Both parties conducted mutual visits to each other’s party headquarters.
In the MHP delegation, the meeting was headed by Deputy Chairman Zuhal Topcu. The delegation from the DEM Party included party spokesperson Aysegul Dogan, Hakkari deputy Onur Dusunmez, and members of the Peoples and Beliefs Commission, Zeyno Bayramoglu.
This marks the first time that the national-right MHP and Kurdish-oriented DEM Party holiday pleasantries, indicative of the positive environment in the ongoing ‘terror-free Türkiye’ campaign launched in October 2024.
Türkiye, Middle East, without terrorism
During the visit, DEM Party Spokesperson Aysegul Dogan stated, “Eid in the tradition of these lands means the strengthening of solidarity and cooperation culture. This is the first time we are celebrating Eid as two different political parties.
As the DEM Party, we believe that it is valuable for political parties with different views to establish dialogue and contact for the future of the country, peace, and the construction of a democratic society.”
MHP deputy chairman Zuhal Topcu remarked, “With the call of our esteemed president, who changed the political history of Türkiye and even made an impact globally, very important steps have been taken. A very crucial process has begun. Hopefully, this process will continue. There is also a rapid effort to realize the concept of a Türkiye and the Middle East without terrorism.”
From the MHP delegation, Secretary-General Ismet Buyukataman said, “Today is Eid, a day when friendship and brotherhood prevail. As MHP, with the approval and discretion of our esteemed president, we have significantly expanded our scope this Eid.”
