Martin Schirdewan, co-president of the Left Group in the European Parliament, described the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s recent decision to disarm and disband as “a step toward peace” and urged Turkey to seize this opportunity by taking responsibility and engaging in dialogue with Kurdish communities. His remarks, delivered during a high-stakes press briefing in Strasbourg on Tuesday during the week of the European Parliament’s Plenary sessions, underscored a rare opening for conflict resolution in a region long marred by armed confrontation, political repression, and ethnic marginalisation.
Schirdewan had just returned from a visit to Syria and Iraq, where he met with Kurdish political and military leaders. “This is a chance for a real peace process,” he said, urging Ankara to recognise the opportunity. Though no formal quote was issued by the European Parliament, Schirdewan’s summary of discussions indicated the Left Group sees the PKK’s disarmament not only as a symbolic gesture but as a meaningful political turning point.
The week’s European Parliament plenary sessions saw several political groups weigh in on crises from Gaza to Iran, but it was the Left Group’s intervention on the Kurdish issue that struck a new note. Schirdewan’s message came amid years of stalled peace efforts between the Turkish state and Kurdish actors, and as regional power dynamics shift amid wider Middle Eastern instability.
He highlighted the need for a pluralistic system in Syria where different communities could coexist peacefully and called for support of the autonomous Kurdish administration in North and East Syria. He also addressed the situation in Iraq, noting that both Yazidi and Kurdish populations were still suffering from the lingering effects of war. He urged increased support for displaced communities and stronger financial and political collaboration between the Kurdish Regional Government and Baghdad.
“The people I met in the region believe peace is possible,” he added, pointing to the PKK’s gesture as an invitation for diplomacy. However, he stressed, the burden of response now lies with Turkey and other regional actors.
The Left Group’s call came amid a wider chorus of concerns over human rights and democratic regression. Manon Aubry, Schirdewan’s co-chair, condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iran as violations of international law and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deflecting attention from war crimes allegations and mounting international pressure. Aubry reaffirmed her group’s use of the term “genocide” to describe the situation in Gaza and called for a formal EU arms embargo on Israel and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Criticism also extended to the European Union’s own economic policies. Schirdewan voiced opposition to the potential legalisation of speculative financial instruments within the EU, warning of a return to “casino capitalism” reminiscent of the 2008 crisis. He called instead for public investment in digital infrastructure and welfare, particularly in underserved communities.
Regarding Iran, the Left Group maintained a nuanced stance. While Schirdewan condemned Israel’s military escalation, he also criticised Tehran for violating women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and suppressing democratic movements. He reiterated support for Iran’s pro-democracy uprising sparked by the killing of Jîna Amini, referencing the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) protests as a transformative force.
On internal EU matters, Schirdewan expressed grave concerns over the state of democracy in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Accusing the Hungarian government of dismantling media freedom and civil rights, he announced the Left Group’s plans to send a delegation to Budapest’s upcoming Pride March in solidarity with local civil society.
Elsewhere in Strasbourg, other political groups addressed related geopolitical concerns. The Socialists & Democrats (S&D) called for the suspension of the EU-Israel partnership over human rights violations in Gaza, while the liberal Renew Europe group, led by Valérie Hayer, announced an upcoming summit of democratic forces to counter rising authoritarianism across Europe. Renew Europe also supported diplomatic dialogue with Iran and emphasised the need for NATO reform and European defence independence.
The Greens/EFA group echoed many of these positions, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging investment in green technologies and renewable energy. They too backed calls to end EU dependency on Russian gas and proposed stronger mechanisms for democratic accountability in EU financial and defence policies.
The convergence across parliamentary lines on the severity of the Middle East crisis—and the opportunities for change in places like Turkey, Syria, and Iraq—highlighted a rare moment of unified concern within Europe’s fractious political landscape.
Yet, the Left Group stood apart in its explicit framing of the PKK’s demilitarisation as a potential gateway to peace. “There is a path forward,” Schirdewan seemed to suggest—one that requires courage from both insurgent groups and state governments. Whether Turkey will respond to this opening remains to be seen.
