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Turkish political leaders exchanged messages of unity and gratitude Monday following the passage of the "Terror-Free Türkiye" bill, with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus crossing party lines to meet lawmakers and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli presenting him with a symbolic gift marking the legislation.
The Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration passed the 600-seat Parliament earlier Monday with 468 votes in favor, 88 against and six abstentions, out of 562 lawmakers who took part in the vote.
Kurtulmus visited the ruling and opposition lounges before and after the vote. Entering the ruling party lounge, he was greeted by AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala and AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Abdullah Guler.
There, he spoke with AK Party lawmakers and Huda Par leader Zekeriya Yapicioglu, reviewing the legislation with those present.
He then moved to the opposition lounge, meeting with Saadet Party leader Mahmut Arikan, Yeniden Refah Party leader Fatih Erbakan and DEVA Party leader Ali Babacan, along with other lawmakers.
He was later joined there by Parliament Deputy Speaker and DEM Party Van lawmaker Pervin Buldan, DEM Party Group Deputy Chairwoman Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit and DEM Party Antalya lawmaker Hakki Saruhan Oluc.
After the bill's passage, Kurtulmus met in his chambers behind the Parliament's presidential podium with Bahceli, AK Party Group Chairman Guler, Ala, and AK Party Deputy Chairman and party spokesman Omer Celik, along with other group deputy chairmen and lawmakers.
Leaving the general assembly, Bahceli offered his congratulations on the bill's passage.
Bahceli gave Kurtulmus a custom-designed piece featuring a relief depiction of the Parliament building and its emblem.
Decorated with classical motifs, it carried an inscription honoring national unity and the decision of the national will, along with a plaque of congratulations and thanks to Kurtulmus, dated Aug. 10, 2026.
The gift was described as a gesture of appreciation for Kurtulmus's work on Parliament affairs and his efforts toward the Terror-Free Türkiye goal. Kurtulmus later telephoned Bahceli to thank him for the artwork and for his support of the process.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on social media that the law rested on the nation's peace, the state's security and the country's shared future, calling its passage by 468 votes a strong show of will.
He said the Terror-Free Türkiye goal would leave behind the heavy price terrorism has cost the country and make peace, trust and brotherhood permanent, further strengthening national unity as the country builds what officials have called the "Century of Türkiye."
He thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for leading the process and Bahceli for backing it from the start, along with Kurtulmus and the parties and lawmakers who contributed to the bill.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran called the 468-vote margin an important sign of resolute will behind the Terror-Free Türkiye goal, saying the step would strengthen national peace and unity and help Türkiye move past terrorism into a stronger, safer future. He thanked lawmakers, party groups and others involved at every stage of the bill's drafting and passage.
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