From the May meetings to the optimism of Kandil; How does the “framework law” strengthen Ocalan's position?

The political arena in Turkey is moving rapidly towards the adoption of a "framework law" for the "peace and democratic society process", which the government calls the "terror-free Turkey process", which depends on the dissolution and disarmament of the PKK.

Kurdish demands for the bill, originally proposed by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, have intensified before the Turkish parliament goes into summer recess later this month.

This is despite the fact that the PKK leadership in Mount Kandil is confident of the success of the process, unlike what happened in the previous process between 2013 and

A delegation from the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic and Equality Party (DEM) and its Imrali delegation held two separate meetings with ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman Afkan Ala and National Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bakcelli on Thursday framework to parliament.

Meeting with Ocalan

The party said in a statement after the two meetings that views were exchanged on the current stage of the peace process, and the need to implement the Framework Law as soon as possible, as well as ensure its capacity to meet needs.

"Building on these relations, a meeting with Mr. Abdullah Ocalan will be held in Imrali as soon as possible," the statement said.

The statement did not specify the timing of the meeting with Ocalan, but sources within the party confirmed it would take place on Wednesday, without saying whether the delegation received a draft framework law to present to Ocalan during the meeting with AKP Deputy Chairman Afkan Ala.

The last meeting of the Imrali delegation with Ocalan took place on May 24 and lasted about five hours. Afterwards, the delegation issued a statement reiterating the importance of democratic politics and legal arrangements to advance the process.

After the meetings with Ala and Bakcelli, PKK officials stressed that the framework law should guarantee all cases filed against PKK members, adding that the issue of residence of any PKK member is worthy of negotiation and the law should pave the way for these negotiations.

"There is a common understanding (with the AKP and MHP) on the need to submit the draft framework law to parliament without disrupting its work, which was confirmed in recent meetings," party spokeswoman Aishagul Doğan said.

He said they had conveyed their views to their counterparts that the legal rules should be universal and comprehensive, without discrimination between guilty and innocent, or between the leadership and members.

Doğan stressed the importance of the expected visit to Imrali and said Abdullah Ocalan's views on the draft framework law should be taken into account.

Optimism of PKK leaders

In the same context, Duran Kalkan, a prominent leader and one of the founders of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), expressed confidence that the current process “will not fail” like the previous one between 2013 and

Speaking for the first time to a media outlet outside the PKK, Kalkan said the current internal and external dynamics distinguish the process from the previous peace process that collapsed in 2015, and that the current process has a great chance of success.

Kalkan, who is on Turkey's terror list and wanted under Interpol's most prominent security wanted list, did not rule out participation in a "political, legal and democratic framework," based on Ocalan's February 27, 2025 appeal National Party (MHP) announced on October 22,

"When we first heard this from Bakcelli, we had a conversation and were in a state of surprise. Then we came to the conclusion that (the one who fights is the most suitable person to bring peace)," he said.

Regarding criticism that the current process is a “game” run by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his coalition partner Devlet Bahçeli, and that Ocalan and his organization have become part of it, Kalkan said: “We cannot deny the existence of a game; We do not deny its existence completely, but we do not agree with the views of those who make decisions, or those with whom we negotiate, and the process is not based on mutual trust.”

But he continued: “Even if it is a game, the question is whether the path will be paved for policy making. Are there opportunities for new things?… This is just what we are exploring”.

Turkey is moving toward what could become one of its most consequential political and security initiatives in decades: the adoption of a "framework law" to institutionalize the government's "Peace and Democratic Society Process," also referred to by Ankara as the "Terror-Free Turkey Process."

The proposed legislation is designed to provide the legal architecture for implementing a process centered on the dissolution and disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Yet behind the legislative debate lies a much broader geopolitical question: What role will Abdullah Öcalan play in shaping the future of Turkey's Kurdish issue?

Recent developments—from political meetings in May to increasingly optimistic statements emerging from the PKK's leadership in the Kandil Mountains—suggest that Ankara's initiative is entering a more structured phase. If adopted, the framework law could significantly enhance Öcalan's influence over the peace process, even while he remains imprisoned on İmralı Island.

From Political Dialogue to Legal Framework

Unlike previous peace initiatives that relied largely on political understandings and informal negotiations, the proposed framework law seeks to establish a legal basis for implementing agreements between the Turkish state and Kurdish actors.

The legislation is expected to define:

• The legal procedures for PKK disarmament.
• Reintegration mechanisms for former militants.
• Government responsibilities during implementation.
• Oversight of the broader peace process.
• Institutional guarantees designed to sustain negotiations.

By transforming political commitments into legislation, Ankara aims to reduce uncertainty and provide a more durable structure for a process that has repeatedly collapsed over the past four decades.

Why Öcalan's Position Could Become Stronger

One of the most significant implications of the framework law is its potential impact on Abdullah Öcalan's political relevance.

Although imprisoned since 1999, Öcalan continues to hold considerable symbolic influence over sections of the Kurdish movement. If the peace process depends on persuading PKK members to disarm, his endorsement could become an essential component of its success.

In practical terms, the framework law could strengthen Öcalan's position by:

• Giving greater political weight to his public statements.
• Reinforcing his role as a key interlocutor in the peace process.
• Increasing expectations that he will encourage compliance with any disarmament agreement.
• Enhancing his importance in negotiations between the Turkish state and Kurdish actors.

Paradoxically, legislation intended to end the armed conflict may simultaneously elevate the political influence of the movement's founding leader.

Why Kandil Appears More Optimistic

Reports of growing optimism within the PKK leadership in the Kandil Mountains may reflect expectations that a legal framework offers stronger guarantees than previous political initiatives.

Historically, mistrust has been one of the principal obstacles to peace efforts.

A parliamentary law could provide:

• Greater legal certainty.
• Clear implementation timelines.
• Institutional accountability.
• More predictable government obligations.

For Kurdish actors, formal legislation may be viewed as more difficult to reverse than executive decisions alone.

Ankara's Strategic Calculations

For President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government, the proposed law is about more than resolving a domestic security challenge.

A successful peace process could produce several strategic benefits:

• Reducing security expenditures.
• Improving domestic political stability.
• Enhancing Turkey's international image.
• Facilitating economic development in southeastern Turkey.
• Allowing greater focus on regional security priorities in Syria and Iraq.

The initiative also aligns with Ankara's broader effort to stabilize its southern borders while recalibrating relations with Kurdish political actors amid changing regional dynamics.

Regional Implications

The consequences of the framework law would extend well beyond Turkey.

Any lasting settlement with the PKK could influence:

• Security operations in northern Iraq.
• Turkish military deployments across the border.
• The political future of Kurdish groups in Syria.
• Relations between Ankara and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
• Regional counterterrorism cooperation involving Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

Because the PKK maintains networks across multiple countries, developments inside Turkey inevitably carry regional geopolitical significance.

Challenges Ahead

Despite growing optimism, significant obstacles remain.

The success of the framework law will depend on:

• Whether all PKK factions accept disarmament.
• The level of political support within the Turkish Parliament.
• Public acceptance across Turkey.
• Implementation mechanisms and independent oversight.
• The ability to prevent spoilers from undermining the process.

Past peace initiatives ultimately collapsed despite periods of optimism, making many observers cautious about predicting success.

Future Implications

If enacted, the framework law could represent the most important institutional shift in Turkey's Kurdish policy since the conflict began more than four decades ago.

In the short term, the legislation could create momentum for phased PKK disarmament and reduce violence inside Turkey. It may also open the door to broader political discussions concerning Kurdish cultural rights, local governance, and democratic reforms, although the scope of any future reforms remains uncertain.

Regionally, a successful peace process would reshape the strategic environment in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey could redirect military resources from counterinsurgency operations toward broader regional security priorities, while relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government may enter a more cooperative phase.

However, the process also carries significant risks. Any disagreement over implementation, legal guarantees, or the pace of disarmament could quickly erode confidence between the parties. Moreover, competing regional actors will closely monitor the process, recognizing that a transformed relationship between Ankara and the Kurdish movement would alter the balance of power across the Middle East.

Ultimately, the proposed framework law is about more than ending an armed conflict. It represents an attempt to replace decades of military confrontation with a legally defined political process. Whether it succeeds may determine not only the future of Turkey's Kurdish question but also the geopolitical landscape stretching from southeastern Turkey to northern Iraq and Syria.

#Turkey #PKK #KurdishPolitics #PeaceProcess #Geopolitics