Weekly Turkey Report: 3rd Week of February – Parliamentary Report, Legal Battles, and Economic Strain
Executive Summary
- The Parliamentary Commission has finalized its report on the peace process, a project months in the making. The seven-section report was met with dissatisfaction, particularly among the Kurdish public.
- Ocalan demanded a new definition of citizenship based on “free citizenship” and “local autonomy”: The current definition is ambiguous. A concept of “Free Citizen” that is not based on ethnicity, language, or faith, but rests on a legal bond with the state, must be adopted.
- President Erdoğan, emphasized that following the goal of a “Terror-free Turkey,” they will implement the vision of a “Terror-free Region.” Describing the report as a “historic step,” Erdoğan stated, “Deliberations on the legal dimensions of the process will begin in our Parliament.”
- DW Turkish Ankara correspondent Alican Uludağ was arrested on charges of “publicly insulting the President,” based on 22 social media posts. The court claimed the posts “offended the honor and dignity of the President” and cited “flight risk” and “suspicion of tampering with evidence” as grounds for arrest.
Parliamentary Commission Completes Peace Process Report
The Parliamentary Commission has finalized its report on the peace process, a project months in the making. The seven-section report was met with dissatisfaction, particularly among the Kurdish public.
Numan Kurtulmuş stated that the report does not constitute an amnesty. Instead, it includes evaluations regarding the process of the PKK’s self-dissolution and disarmament, alongside proposals for legal regulations and democratization.
Messages from Abdullah Öcalan
Through a delegation from the DEM Party, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan conveyed the following key points:
- The Parliamentary Commission’s report must align with fundamental social realities. This quality will be crucial for the future progress of the process.
- A political approach based on the logic of “liquidating terrorism” represents a deadlock rather than a solution.
- A new definition of citizenship based on “free citizenship” and “local autonomy” is required. The current definition is ambiguous. A concept of “Free Citizen” that is not based on ethnicity, language, or faith, but rests on a legal bond with the state, must be adopted.
DEM Party’s Dissenting Opinion
Cengiz Çiçek, Istanbul MP for the DEM Party and former lawyer for Öcalan, announced their reservations regarding the draft report. Çiçek stated:
- “We find the use of terms like ‘Terror-free Turkey process,’ ‘terrorist organization,’ and ‘scourge of terrorism’ in the joint report draft inappropriate.”
- “As the DEM Party, we define the current process as the ‘Peace and Democratic Society Process,’ named after the call made by Mr. Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, 2025.”
- “The Kurdish issue cannot be associated with the concept of ‘terrorism.’ It is an issue of rights and freedoms with political, social, economic, and historical backgrounds.”
While the DEM Party’s dissent noted that the sections on “legal regulation proposals” and “democratization” could be guiding, it detailed objections to the report’s language and conceptual framework.
State Leaders’ Perspectives
President Erdoğan, emphasized that following the goal of a “Terror-free Turkey,” they will implement the vision of a “Terror-free Region.” Describing the report as a “historic step,” Erdoğan stated, “Deliberations on the legal dimensions of the process will begin in our Parliament.”
Feti Yıldız (MHP), The legal expert for MHP leader Bahçeli clarified that the commission has no mission or authority to transform the unitary state structure. He emphasized that territorial integrity, Turkish as the official language, and secular Republican principles are non-negotiable values. Yıldız also announced that a regulation on the “right to hope” (umut hakkı) would be included in the report within the framework of ECHR rulings.
Judicial and Political Developments
Imprisoned presidential candidate and Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, appeared before a judge for the fourth time in his “diploma case.” İmamoğlu stated, “70% of our nation is with me; I stand here with my head held high, empowered by my citizens.” The trial was adjourned to July 6.
Gökhan Günaydın (CHP) Announced that İmamoğlu has not been allowed to meet with MPs since the new Minister of Justice took office. The Ministry cited “technical issues” for the delay and announced that meetings would resume.
CHP leader Özgür Özel gave Akın Gürlek one week to declare his assets. “If he doesn’t, I will reveal them plot by plot, site by site, and apartment by apartment—both his own and the real estate held by a police officer at RTÜK,” Özel declared.
Journalist Arrested
DW Turkish Ankara correspondent Alican Uludağ was arrested on charges of “publicly insulting the President,” based on 22 social media posts. The court claimed the posts “offended the honor and dignity of the President” and cited “flight risk” and “suspicion of tampering with evidence” as grounds for arrest.
Social and Economic Outlook
New Social Regulations: New measures targeting gender reassignment were introduced under the guise of “protecting family and social structure.” According to Türkiye Gazetesi, doctors performing unauthorized surgeries face up to seven years in prison. Additionally, those “praising or encouraging LGBTI+” face three years, while engagement or wedding ceremonies between same-sex individuals will be punishable by four years in prison.
Economic Crisis
Debt Spiral: Latest data shows that one in two people in Turkey is in debt, with the volume of non-performing loans (NPL) nearing 740 billion TRY.
- Purchasing Power: In 2021, a minimum wage could buy 73 kg of beef; by 2026, this dropped to 48 kg. A similar decline was observed in lamb (from 58 kg to 50 kg).
- Life Satisfaction: According to TurkStat’s 2025 survey, 53.3% of the population claims to be happy, yet “cost of living” remains the top concern for 31.3% of the public.
- Expert Analysis: Economist Mahfi Eğilmez noted that both budget expenditures and revenues increased by approximately 55% as of January 2026, warning that the interest burden on the budget is becoming increasingly heavy.
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