A new commission in the Turkish parliament tasked with advancing the Kurdish peace process has been formed, consisting of 51 members.

Context: The ruling AKP holds 21 seats, the main opposition CHP 10, while both the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and the nationalist government ally MHP have 4 members each. The opposition nationalist İYİ Party and the New Way party have 3 members each. Additionally, one seat has been allocated to each of the following parties: HÜDA PAR, Yeniden Refah, TIP, EMEP, DSP, and DP — all of which are represented in the Turkish parliament but lack official group status.

Details: Although no consensus has been reached on the commission’s official name, the opposition insists that the term “democracy” must be included. However, the nationalist opposition İYİ Party has announced it will not participate in the commission.

Despite parliament currently being in recess, the commission will continue its work. One of its primary responsibilities will be to submit proposals to the Turkish Parliament Presidency regarding the peace process, including measures for the return of PKK guerrillas to their families in Turkey and legal reforms that could pave the way for the release of political prisoners.

The CHP, DEM Party, and several other opposition groups are calling for the commission to become a permanent, legally established body — rather than one with merely technical duties.

In contrast, the AKP and MHP maintain that the commission should be limited to presenting proposals.