Ömer Çelik’s criticism of Özgür Özel: I wish I didn’t have to hear your words
Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, at a press conference following the Merkez Yürütme Kurulu (MYK) meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, responded to recent questions and claims regarding the state of the Cumhur İttifakı (People’s Alliance) as well as to statements made by Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel.
Addressing speculation about a rift within the People’s Alliance, Çelik emphasized that the alliance grows stronger after every attack and crisis, saying: “The People’s Alliance is the product of a will that took shape on the night of July 15 and is different from coalitions based on bargaining and compromise. This alliance does not suffer from crises; on the contrary, it has the capacity to overcome them.”
Çelik also spoke about the process known as “Terror-Free Turkey,” noting that it is among the most important agenda items of the government and the AKP. According to him, the main goal of this process is the complete neutralization of the terrorist organization PKK and all its extensions and illegal structures within the framework of a defined roadmap. Çelik stated that there is a special mechanism within the party that monitors this process and shapes its political language, and that this mechanism regularly develops policies through scheduled meetings.
In another part of his remarks, Çelik referred to Özgür Özel’s criticisms and statements, saying: “Mr. Özel constantly speaks of law and justice at rallies, but does not adhere to them in practice. The expressions he uses against our President are of a sort not encountered even in European political discourse.” Çelik added that he is obliged by his responsibilities to follow Özel’s words, which he described as a form of pressure and torment. He stressed: “Criticism is a natural right in a democracy; however, when the tone and language cross the boundaries of respect, we will enforce our own red lines.”
