'Deal for developing ties with terror group YPG/PKK put Swedish premier in seat'

By Atilla Altuntas and Selen Temizer

BRUSSELS (AA) - Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's ability to sit in the chair lies in the agreement she made with a Kurdish MP of Iranian origin, Amineh Kakabaveh, a supporter of the terrorist organization YPG/PKK, according to the chairman of the opposition Sweden Democrats Party.

Jimmie Akesson, the chairman of the opposition Sweden Democrats Party, had kept the content of the agreement and said Andersson was able to sit in the prime minister's seat thanks to this agreement.

Speaking to the press, Akesson said Kakabaveh made demands and agreed with the Social Democrats to deepen their relations with the PYD/PKK.

“The PYD has links with the PKK, a world-renowned terrorist organization. Of course, this will affect Sweden's foreign relations,” he added.

Andersson, a member of the Social Democratic Party, was nominated as the prime minister by former premier Stefan Lofven, who resigned from his post.

After becoming a candidate, Andersson, who had to get the approval of the parliament by providing the condition of not being vetoed by the majority of the deputies to sit in the seat, negotiated with independent deputy Kakabaveh because she needed a vote.

Kakabaveh shared two messages on her Facebook account on Nov. 24, 2021, when Andersson was elected the prime minister with the approval of the parliament.

The first statement, which was about the Kurdish rights and the struggle for self-determination, was signed by Tobias Baudin, the secretary of the Social Democratic Party.

The statement said it is unacceptable that "freedom fighters" fighting or sympathizing with the YPG or PYD in Syria are classified as terrorists by some state actors.

"The Social Democrats intend to deepen their cooperation with the PYD. Amineh Kakabaveh will work on this issue and join the Social Democrats group. We do this because we support the work of the autonomous administration in northeastern Syria on democracy and respect for human rights.

"Self-government in Rojava is important for the Middle East and we want to continue to support them. Reconstruction after the war is important and Sweden should support it. The political party PYD has a leading role in self-government and is a legitimate interlocutor,” it said.

After announcing her agreement with Andersson on support for the terrorist organization YPG/PKK, Kakabaveh said: "History was made in Sweden today with my vote. Magdalena Andersson became Sweden's first female prime minister."

- Andersson gov't fulfilling deal

Days after taking office, Ann Linde, the foreign minister of Andersson’s government, met with Ilham Ahmad, one of the YPG/PKK ringleaders in Stockholm.

“Appreciate sincere discussion with SDC’s Ilham Ahmad on the situation in northeastern Syria. Sweden remains an active partner,” Linde tweeted on Dec. 10, 2021.

After this meeting, Sweden's support of $376 million to the YPG/PKK-occupied region was covered by many media outlets, including the pro-organization media.

On March 25, Kakabaveh said on Facebook that Linde had met with YPG/PKK's women wing YPJ's ringleader Nesrin Abdullah and shared three photos.

In addition to the meetings in its capital, Sweden periodically sends official delegations to the occupied regions in eastern Syria and meets with terrorist ringleaders.

Providing financial support to the so-called autonomous administrations of the YPG/PKK, Sweden also supports infrastructure works in the region through aid organizations.

On Friday, Kakabaveh told the Swedish official news agency TT that if Andersson does not fulfill the agreement with her, she will withdraw her support from the government and that she will vote for the government to be dismissed during the next budget vote.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara