Democratic Party

Main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has said he would be pleased if the outlawed Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) disarms.

With the traffic in Ankara getting busier on the eve of an expected declaration that the talks between the government and the Kurdistan Workers? Party (PKK) have shifted into formal negotiations, Deputy Prime Minister Yalç?n Akdo?an, a key name in the talks, met on Feb. 12 with a member of the team visiting the jailed leader of the outlawed organization.

The HDP suggests a much-awaited negotiations phase with the government over the Kurdish issue could start within a fortnig Turkey's government could shift into a negotiations phase "within two weeks" in talks with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in pursuit of a political settlement to the Kurdish issue, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Figen Yüksekda? said Feb.

As dissidents continued to raise their voices against the controversial new homeland security bill, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu attended a ?special security meeting? before chairing a cabinet meeting on Feb. 11.

All three Turkish opposition parties in parliament have ignored President Tayyip Erdo?an?s surprising public objection to the resignation of National Intelligence Organization (M?T) Chief Hakan Fidan, who answered to a call by Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu to become a candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) in the June 7 parliamentary elections.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Figen Yüksekda? has called on the ruling party to withdraw its controversial security package draft bill, which she described as a "package for death."

The European Court of Human Rights has fined Turkey 4,250 euros for fining a singer for his speech in a concert without any trial despite his demand to stand trial.

Ferhat Tunç Yoslun, a Turkish national singer, was fined with charges of having made comments during his performance at an authorized concert on Aug. 4, 2003.

The Turkish government?s contentious new security bill is fully in line with EU norms and universal values, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has stressed, vowing to pass the law despite delays and criticizing the opposition for trying to ?drag Turkey into chaos.? 

Nigeria has postponed its presidential election on security grounds as the Boko Haram conflict intensifies, handing a potential lifeline to the ruling party as it battles a tough challenge from the opposition.
      

During a public rally in the northwestern city of Bursa on Feb. 6, President Tayyip Erdo?an demanded 400 seats in the 550-seat Turkish Parliament in the June 7 elections, saying this target was necessary in order to secure a strong presidential system, a solution to the Kurdish problem, a new constitution, and a ?New Turkey.?