Turkish President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) recent decision to dissolve its armed structure as a pivotal moment for national unity and democracy on Wednesday in his weekly parliamentary speech. However, his address offered no concrete roadmap for the democratic reforms widely anticipated in the aftermath of this historic shift.
Calling the PKK’s disarmament “a new phase in our fight for a terror-free Turkey,” Erdoğan said the announcement marked progress towards dismantling internal divisions. He thanked political allies like Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and praised opposition leaders, including Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel and the co-chairs of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, for what he described as constructive contributions. Erdoğan also offered posthumous recognition of the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder’s role in past peace efforts.
Erdoğan stated that the Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) would be responsible for monitoring the PKK’s compliance with its pledges, while the remaining steps would fall to political institutions.
“Once the organisation fulfils its obligations, political actors will be responsible for addressing what comes next,” he said.
He also called for affiliated Kurdish political entities in Europe to disband and for diaspora lobbying groups to end anti-Turkey activities. He argued that Turkey’s international reputation should rest on technology, culture, and democratic development rather than conflict.
Despite these overtures, Erdoğan did not mention key trust-building measures expected in the post-PKK era. These include the release of political prisoners—among them imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, in isolation since 1999—and reforms to Turkey’s Anti-Terror Law, which has long been criticised for its broad and repressive application. The absence of these commitments raised doubts about the depth of Ankara’s engagement with a democratic peace process.
While positioning himself as an advocate of peace and reconciliation, Erdoğan simultaneously used the platform to defend the controversial investigation into Istanbul’s opposition-led municipality. He described the ongoing legal proceedings as exposing a far-reaching organised crime network tied to political, bureaucratic, and international actors.
Framing the issue as structural rather than partisan, Erdoğan called for an overhaul of Turkey’s local government framework, citing difficulties in municipal administration across provinces. He also hinted at broader reforms in the distribution of powers between metropolitan centres and rural districts, and in oversight of fiscal practices.
Internationally, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s rising stature as a mediator in global conflicts. He referenced recent phone calls with US President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Syrian authorities as evidence of Ankara’s relevance in regional diplomacy.
“Turkey is now a central actor in peace diplomacy,” Erdoğan said, listing conflicts ranging from Gaza to the Horn of Africa where Turkey has played a mediating role. He applauded Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria and expressed hope for progress in Gaza, describing Turkey’s foreign policy as principled, consistent, and rooted in justice.
