A surprise handshake in Turkey's parliament: Nationalist-Kurdish thaw or political maneuver?
The escalating conflict in the region — among other considerations — has prompted unexpected handshakes between two foes in Turkey: pro-Kurdish DEM Party lawmakers and Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli.
A rare handshake between Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s top ally, and pro-Kurdish DEM Party lawmakers earlier this week offered a glimpse of civility in the Turkish parliament, which is often in the spotlight for bloody brawls and high tensions.
After Erdogan finished his speech marking the parliament’s return from summer recess on Tuesday, Bahceli approached DEM Party chairs and extended his hand to a group of surprised DEM Party lawmakers.
The third-largest political party in the Turkish parliament, the DEM Party is the main representative of the country’s ethnic Kurds, who make up nearly 20% of the total population. Bahceli has repeatedly asked for the closure of the DEM Party and its predecessors for alleged ties to terrorism. The last time Bahceli shook hands with lawmakers from the DEM Party's predecessors in parliament was at least a decade ago, prior to Bahceli’s electoral alliance with Erdogan’s ruling party.
As if his move was not baffling enough, his remarks following the handshakes were even more puzzling.
