Ozgur Ozel Criticizes Trump and Erdogan
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the New Party of Turkey (Yeni Party), criticized Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in reaction to the US election results and said: “Trump’s supporters are being defeated one after another.”
After the US elections were held and the results were announced, Ozel assessed the political developments in the country and commented on the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ozel, who attended the state cemetery on Thursday to visit the grave of former Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on the 20th anniversary of his death, answered journalists’ questions after the visit.
Referring to the US election results, Ozel said:
“Trump’s supporters are being defeated one after another. Trump’s supporters now see whom they trusted and what situation the person they placed so much hope in is now in. This situation is sad for Turkey and America.”
He also said that when he saw the election results, after they became clear, he said to himself: “Humanity is not dead yet.”
Ozel added: “We all witnessed what situation the person who mocked people’s reason, honor and pride, considered everyone a child and mocked the world is now in.”
Referring to the relationship between Trump and Erdogan, the leader of the New Party of Turkey said:
“The only person in America who supports Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now at the head of power. In Turkey, the person who supports Donald Trump is in charge of the country. We are facing such a deep contradiction. They always emphasized power and the support they received from each other and relied on this mutual support.”
Ozel further criticized the Turkish government’s relations with the US government and, referring to previous remarks by the US ambassador to Turkey, said:
“No one should gain an advantage through unconventional agreements with America across the ocean. The ambassador appointed by Trump had previously said: ‘We give them what they do not have, and we take from them whatever they have.’ What was supposed to be given to them was legitimacy. It is now clear how valid the legitimacy received from Trump is.”
Referring to the economic consequences of relations with the Trump administration, he said:
“The concessions given to Trump are paid from the pocket and treasury of this nation. Those who expect help from Trump should reflect on this matter.”
Referring to the New Party of Turkey’s position on developments in America, Ozel said:
“We have neither pinned our hopes on Trump’s help to come to power, nor do we now, as the opposition, expect his defeat to help us. Anyone who needs Trump has in fact cut off their hope from the people.”
He continued:
“Everyone should see what situation will ultimately be faced by those who seek to do politics and make policy by mocking people’s reason, making short and unconventional statements, and words incompatible with reason and logic.”
