Özgür Özel: Social democracy is rising in Turkey
Özgür Özel, Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) of Turkey, speaking at the Socialist International Presidium meeting held in the Spanish capital, emphasized that unlike in many parts of the world, what is expanding in Turkey is not right‑wing populism but social democracy.
Referring to the process that began on March 19, 2025, he said: “We are facing a siege that puts the entire society under pressure. These attacks have turned into an attempted coup by a political power against its rivals, striking at Turkey’s future government and future president. This attempt is still ongoing.”
In his remarks, Özel pointed to the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the CHP’s presidential candidate, along with several other CHP mayors, and added that this process was aimed at preventing the main rivals from participating in the elections. He also described the annulment of İmamoğlu’s university diploma, obtained three decades ago, as an example of political pressure.
The CHP leader stated that since March 19 more than 60 major demonstrations had been organized across Turkey with over 11 million participants, and said: “Those who orchestrated this coup could not convince Turkish society. While less than 30 percent of the public believe these allegations, 70 percent stand with us and with the truth.”
In another part of his speech, he stressed: “Contrary to global trends, what is increasing in Turkey is not right‑wing populism but social democracy. Our party stands as a barrier against authoritarianism, and this struggle has been rewarded by the voters.”
Highlighting the importance of international solidarity against authoritarianism, Özel said: “Democracy and hope, like authoritarianism, are contagious. If authoritarianism has become a global problem, solidarity among democrats must also be global.”
Özel also welcomed the position of the Spanish government regarding Gaza and called for the establishment of a commission within the Socialist International to monitor the ceasefire process and to contribute to the realization of a two‑state solution.
