The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has appointed Van MP Pervin Buldan as Turkey’s new Parliament deputy Speaker, replacing the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder. President Erdogan congratulated Buldan, while Kurdish leaders praised her appointment as crucial for advancing the ongoing peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
DEM Party’s Strategic Parliamentary Selection
The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party conducted an internal meeting at its headquarters to determine the successor for their former Parliament deputy Speaker position. Following the passing of Sırrı Süreyya Önder on May 3, 2025, party members of parliament gathered to make this critical decision. According to Mezopotamya Agency’s Mehmet Aslan, the party elected Pervin Buldan, who serves as MP for Van and holds membership in the Imralı delegation. The party plans to submit Buldan’s nomination to Parliament through official channels within the coming days.
The timing of this appointment coincides with Turkey’s parliamentary speaker election scheduled for Tuesday. Unlike the speaker position, which requires election, deputy speakers are nominated by political parties that meet specific seat thresholds. Currently, four parties qualify for this privilege, making the DEM Party’s choice particularly significant for Kurdish representation in Turkish politics.
Presidential Recognition and Political Significance
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s swift response to Buldan’s appointment demonstrates the political weight of this selection. Hours after the DEM Party’s announcement, Erdogan personally called Buldan to offer his congratulations, marking a continuation of recent diplomatic engagement between the Turkish government and pro-Kurdish political representatives. This gesture reflects the evolving relationship between Ankara and Kurdish political movements.
The appointment gains additional importance considering the broader parliamentary dynamics. The DEM Party has nominated lawmaker Cengiz Candar to compete against the ruling party for the parliament speaker position. Meanwhile, the ruling coalition comprising the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) reportedly supports incumbent speaker Numan Kurtulmus for a second term, setting up a competitive parliamentary contest.
Central Role in Peace Process Mediation
Buldan’s selection carries profound implications for Turkey’s ongoing peace process with the PKK. Both Buldan and the late Önder served as primary mediators in negotiations between Ankara and the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Their multiple visits to Ocalan earlier this year established them as crucial intermediaries in these historic talks.
The mediation efforts reached a pivotal moment on February 27, when Buldan and Önder relayed a historic letter from Ocalan. In this communication, the PKK leader urged his followers to abandon their decades-long armed struggle against the Turkish government and pursue political solutions instead. This message represented a potential turning point in one of Turkey’s most persistent conflicts.
The peace process achieved a significant milestone when the PKK held a congress last month, deciding to dissolve itself and formally end the armed struggle. This decision followed years of violent conflict that had claimed thousands of lives and destabilized the region. Buldan’s appointment as deputy Speaker positions her to continue facilitating dialogue from within Turkey’s legislative framework.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
The significance of Buldan’s role became apparent during an unprecedented meeting in April, when President Erdogan received both Buldan and Önder. This encounter marked the first such meeting between Turkey’s leader and pro-Kurdish party representatives in over a decade, signaling a potential shift in Turkish-Kurdish political relations.
This diplomatic breakthrough reflected broader changes in Turkey’s approach to its Kurdish population and the long-standing conflict with the PKK. The meeting provided a formal platform for dialogue that had been absent from Turkish politics for years, creating opportunities for peaceful resolution of historical grievances.
Regional and International Support
Buldan’s appointment has garnered support from prominent Kurdish leaders across the region, highlighting its significance beyond Turkey’s borders. Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), extended congratulations while emphasizing his organization’s commitment to the peace process. His message referenced his late father, President Mam Jalal, who had been among the early advocates for peaceful resolution.
Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, praised Buldan’s consistent efforts to uphold democratic principles, brotherhood, and coexistence. His message emphasized confidence in her ability to advance the peace process and secure Kurdish rights within Turkey. Such regional support demonstrates the broader Kurdish community’s investment in successful political representation within Turkish institutions.
International recognition came from Iraq’s First Lady, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, who sent a congratulatory telegram highlighting Buldan’s leadership qualities and dedication to fostering unity, justice, and peace. The Iraqi First Lady’s message emphasized pride in Buldan’s appointment and expressed hopes for her continued success in shaping an inclusive future for all Turkish citizens.
These congratulatory messages reflect the regional importance of Kurdish political progress within Turkey and the potential implications for broader Middle Eastern stability. The support from various Kurdish leaders and international figures underscores the significance of Buldan’s new role in advancing peaceful political solutions to long-standing conflicts in the region.
