The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), representing Kurdish interests in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has nominated veteran journalist, author, and MP Cengiz Candar for the position of Speaker of Parliament.

Although Candar is ethnically Turkish, he has been a long-standing advocate for Kurdish rights and a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey. He is known for his deep engagement with Kurdish political movements and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Diyarbakir, a predominantly Kurdish province, in 2023.

Members of parliament are preparing to elect a new speaker in June, marking the start of the 28th legislative session following the end of Numan Kurtulmuş’s two-year term as speaker.

The nomination period began today and will continue until June 2. The speaker will be elected by secret ballot on June 3. A candidate must receive at least 301 votes in the third round to secure the position. If no candidate reaches this threshold, the one with the most votes in the fourth round will be declared the speaker.

This election will also include changes to deputy speaker posts and leadership of parliamentary committees, with political parties putting forward their nominees.

Çandar’s nomination by DEM is viewed as symbolic and strategic, emphasizing the party’s focus on democratic representation and peaceful political dialogue. His deep experience in foreign policy and journalism, including his advisory role to President Turgut Ozal in the early 1990s, has earned him cross-party recognition.

Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance, composed of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), is expected to re-nominate Numan Kurtulmus for another term as speaker.