DEM Party Welcomes Prospect of PKK Congress as Hope for Peace Grows
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Doğan said, “There is a possibility that the PKK will announce the holding of a congress at any time, and we will wait for this important announcement.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson for the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), expressed cautious optimism on Friday regarding an anticipated announcement from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Doğan said, “There is a possibility that the PKK will announce the holding of a congress at any time, and we will wait for this important announcement.” The move, if realized, could mark a major milestone in the long-standing Kurdish conflict, opening the door for renewed dialogue and a political resolution.
“The political solution carries great responsibility,” Doğan added, emphasizing the critical role political actors must play in ensuring any peace initiative is successful and inclusive.
Her remarks come amid growing speculation that the PKK may take formal steps toward disarmament following recent comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. On Thursday, Erdoğan stated that the PKK would eventually lay down its arms, whether "today or tomorrow," and acknowledged the political arena’s central role in managing the process. “After the PKK's disappearance, a new process and a new era will begin for all of us,” he said.
President Erdoğan also stressed the importance of vigilance, warning that there may be actors who seek to derail the process. “We must be prepared for that,” he cautioned, while expressing confidence in the ability of his administration and supporters to steer the process through these challenges.
The developments follow a major signal earlier this year. On Feb. 27, imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, through a message relayed by senior Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk, called on the group to lay down arms. The call was widely seen as a landmark moment, rekindling hopes for a peaceful resolution after years of conflict.
As the country watches for the PKK’s next move, the DEM Party’s statement underscores the growing sense that peace — long elusive — may once again be within reach, provided that all sides commit to dialogue, accountability, and shared political responsibility.
