Slavoj Žižek, the noted Slovenian philosopher renowned for his work in Marxist theory and psychoanalysis, has expressed full support for jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for ‘Peace and Democratic Society’ and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) subsequent decision to dissolve itself following its 12th congress.
In a video shared by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, Žižek praised the move as a bold step towards peace and urged international discussion on the Kurdish question, calling it emblematic of wider struggles across the Middle East.
Slovenyalı Marksist filozof ve kültür teorisyeni Slavoj Zizek, Sayın Abdullah Öcalan’ın Barış ve Demokratik Toplum Çağrısı ve bu çağrıya karşılık kongresini toplayarak fesih kararını duyuran PKK’nin açıklaması üzerine bir destek mesajı gönderdi. pic.twitter.com/zMGBTSdpW1
— DEM Parti (@DEMGenelMerkezi) May 14, 2025
Praising the PKK for proving their commitment to peace, Žižek emphasised the importance of global engagement in post-disarmament political reconciliation following this significant development by one of the world’s longest-standing armed revolutionary movements.
Addressing the broader Kurdish issue, Žižek remarked that the Kurdish situation in the Middle East exemplifies, in a “condensed form”, many of the key challenges faced across the region.
He concluded by commending the PKK’s decision as extraordinarily brave, stating that it removes any justification for the Turkish state to continue its repressive policies towards the Kurdish population.
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