Erdogan Hopes ‘Wise People’ Will Quiet Critics
The Wise People Delegation appointed by Prime Minister Erdogan has emerged as a governmental buffer against the small but vocal opposition to peace with the Kurdish movement, writes Ilnur Cevik.
As the peace process between the Turkish government and the Kurdish movement continues with the sides discussing how and when the militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) will withdraw armed militants from Turkey to the mountains of northern Iraq, groups of Wise People commissioned by Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan are roaming the country trying to blunt the angry opposition led by conservative nationalists and left-wing groups.
The Wise People, consisting of 62 members who have been split into groups, are visiting the seven geographic regions of Turkey with a mission to feel the pulse of the people on the peace process and report back to the prime minister in two months.
