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Survey shows low public trust in Türkiye’s peace initiative with PKK

Pedestrians walk on the popular Istiklal shopping street in Istanbul on March 31, 2025. (AFP Photo)
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Pedestrians walk on the popular Istiklal shopping street in Istanbul on March 31, 2025. (AFP Photo)
December 05, 2025 11:16 AM GMT+03:00

The "terror-free Türkiye" process, which began with the call made by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli to PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in October 2024, continues to be the most important item on the country's agenda.

Public opinion researchers are closely monitoring the level of public support for the process. Hatem Ete, director of Panorama TR, shared the results of their November 2025 research.

In line with the goal of a Terror-Free Türkiye, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established in the Grand National Assembly, convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Numan Kurtulmus in Ankara, Türkiye on Aug. 8, 2025. (AA Photo)
In line with the goal of a Terror-Free Türkiye, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established in the Grand National Assembly, convened under the chairmanship of Speaker Numan Kurtulmus in Ankara, Türkiye on Aug. 8, 2025. (AA Photo)

Shift in nationalist votes

Ete stated that following Bahceli's leading role in the process, his party experienced a vote loss of 0.5% to 1%.

According to the data, these votes shifted to Umit Ozdag's far-right Victory Party (ZP) and Yavuz Agiralioglu's Key Party (A Party). Ete noted that there was no change in the vote share of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), which is close to the Kurdish political movement and is another key actor in the process.

Support is high but trust is low

Emphasizing that 60% of society supports the "terror-free Türkiye" process, Ete clarified that despite this general support, there is a lack of trust regarding the negotiations conducted with the terrorist organization PKK and Ocalan.

"The voter is not giving a sharp reaction yet," Ete said. However, he warned that the picture could change if moves such as prisoner releases or legal amendments occur.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli meets with a Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) delegation at his office in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, joined by Deputy Speaker Pervin Buldan and Sanliurfa MP Mithat Sancar, Ankara, Türkiye, July 16, 2025. (AA Photo)
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli meets with a Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) delegation at his office in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, joined by Deputy Speaker Pervin Buldan and Sanliurfa MP Mithat Sancar, Ankara, Türkiye, July 16, 2025. (AA Photo)

Strategy of the parties

Ete observed that the main opposition Republican People’s Party's (CHP) cautious approach is consolidating its base, predicting that CHP voters will largely oppose upcoming legal regulations. He added that the government's strategy to squeeze the CHP through this agenda has not yielded results so far.

Regarding the ruling party, Ete said, "President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's (ruling Justice and Development Party) AK Party seems to have decided not to socialize the process until the risky stages are passed. This may lower the dose of the probable nationalist reaction."

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Bahceli had called on imprisoned PKK leader Ocalan in October 2024 to dissolve the organization. Ocalan made a call for disarmament and dissolution in February 2025. Following this, the PKK held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in the summer and announced the end of its armed activities in Türkiye.

Negotiations are currently continuing regarding the integration of the SDF in northern Syria into the Syrian army, following a memorandum signed in March.

December 05, 2025 11:16 AM GMT+03:00
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