Main opposition leader Özgür Özel has said his New Party will push for democratic reforms after supporting legislation aimed at ending the decadeslong conflict with PKK, arguing that backing disarmament does not mean giving the government a free hand.
In an interview with daily Cumhuriyet published on Aug. 21, Özel said his party voted in favor of provisions addressing a relevant government-led initiative “on principle.”
Parliament on Aug. 10 swiftly passed the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, which establishes the legal framework for a campaign which the government calls the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative.
Özel was among 467 lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill. The New Party’s 35 lawmakers who supported the legislation, while 54 voted against it and two did not take part in the vote.
“We voted yes to ending terrorism and disarmament. We will fight for democratization,” Özel said.
“The first 150 days of our new government, we will implement that democratization package.”
Özel said the legislation was only one part of a broader process outlined by a parliamentary commission, and that his party would continue to press for the measures included in that body’s subsequent section.
Among those measures, he cited ending the government’s practice of appointing trustees to replace elected local officials and changing laws that he said threaten journalism.
Özel said Türkiye had spent around 2 trillion Turkish Liras fighting terrorism and argued that the conflict had also prevented the country from realizing economic opportunities.
“The issue has a security, a democratic and a development dimension,” Özel said.
The New Party leader also offered a broader definition of “equal citizenship,” saying democratization should not be reduced to constitutional changes involving ethnic identity or language.
He said his party already recognizes language rights in its program but does not believe the process should necessarily lead to a constitutional amendment.
“The issue of equal citizenship should be discussed beyond its ethnic and sectarian dimensions, both economically and sociologically,” he said.
Özel cited taxation and wealth distribution as areas requiring reform, arguing that wealthy individuals and large asset holders should contribute more to society.
“If we are going to be a democratic republic, it passes through the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the ballot box,” he added.
