MHP leader Bahçeli comments on CHP congress ruling, signals concern over stalled 'opening process'

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has weighed in on the recent decision by the Constitutional Court concerning the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) 38th Ordinary Congress. Bahçeli stated that while the discussions surrounding the issue may have political dimensions, the core of the matter is legal. "The court's decision is real, and the current chairman is Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. CHP activities will be carried out within the framework of current law and by authorized bodies," Bahçeli said, emphasizing the need to await the conclusion of the judicial process.

Bahçeli also took the opportunity to address corruption, asserting that those who engage in illicit activities should face accountability. "Corruption should not go unpunished. Immorality and the squandering of public property should not be tolerated. Those who turn politics from a mission of service to the nation into a means of personal gain and self-interest should not receive protection, regardless of their political affiliation," he stated.

However, behind the public statements, MHP insiders suggest Bahçeli's comments carry a deeper message. There is a growing concern within the party that the intense focus on the CHP's leadership crisis and congress disputes is diverting attention from more critical national agendas, particularly the "opening process" aimed at addressing Kurdish issues. Party officials reportedly feel that the momentum for this process has stalled, with public and political energy consumed by the CHP's internal turmoil.

Further complicating matters, reports from Ankara's political corridors indicate that legislative preparations for the "opening process," referred to as a "framework law" or "code law," may be on hold. While the pro-Kurdish DEM Party had previously pointed to a post-holiday timeline for these steps, progress has been slow. Sources within the ruling AK Party suggest a cautious approach, awaiting evaluations from security bodies, including a crucial report from the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) on the disarmament process. Some assessments suggest these reports may not be as positive as hoped, leading to a delay in new legislative initiatives. The MHP, while not advocating for the complete abandonment of the process, reportedly insists that any future steps must align with the assessments of state institutions.