Özgür Özel: We Are the Guarantors of Peace and Democracy
Özgür Özel, leader of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), strongly criticized the policies of President Erdoğan’s government during a speech in Malatya. Referring to the country’s economic situation, he said, “Today, we rank first in poverty in Europe and first in food inflation worldwide.”
He also addressed the government’s performance in rebuilding earthquake-affected regions, adding, “Two and a half years have passed since the devastating earthquakes, yet the government has fulfilled only 38% of its promises for housing construction.” Özel described the tens of thousands of people still living in containers as a sign of the government’s incompetence.
The CHP leader criticized delays in compensation payments to farmers, saying, “In Malatya, frost damage cost farmers 40 billion liras, but the government failed to keep its promises.”
Özel labeled the government’s post-election actions as “the March 19 coup against democracy,” emphasizing, “They cannot accept their electoral defeat.” Referring to the ruling party’s recent cooperation with other parties, he said, “Those who accused us of terrorism yesterday are now allying with the very same people.”
Concluding his speech, Özgür Özel pointed to the ruling party’s declining popularity in polls, stating, “The Justice and Development Party’s support has dropped to 29%. The time has come for the people to decide in early elections.”
