Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel delivered strong remarks at the 75th 'Upholding the Nation's Will' rally in Kayseri, criticizing the government's economic policies and judicial practices.

Response to Poster Removal

Özel reacted sharply to municipal police removing rally posters in the city the previous day. “I heard they took down the posters for this event, the posters of this party, my pictures, Mayor Ekrem’s pictures. Don’t be upset. They collect the posters, we gather the people in the square. Have you ever seen anyone win an election by collecting posters? Those who gather the nation win elections. Those who collected the posters for this rally in Kayseri will leave, and those who gathered the nation in this square will come,” he asserted.

Economic Critique and Minimum Wage Call

Criticizing the government's economic policies and addressing budget discussions, Özel stated, “There is a budget that has taken away the nation’s right to a budget, sworn to create a budget for a handful of rich people, to forgive their taxes, to give them incentives, but to ignore the nation.” He emphasized Türkiye's dire economic situation, saying, “Türkiye is first in Europe for high inflation, first in Europe and third in the world for food inflation. It is first in Europe for unemployment and high interest rates. This country has the second-highest interest rates in the world.” Özel also advocated for a significant increase in the minimum wage, proposing it should be 39,000 Turkish Lira, not 27,000-28,000 Lira, and called for government support for employers. “The era of ministers’ children will end, and the era of the nation’s children will begin with the next ballot box,” he declared.

Justice System and Challenge to the President

Özel also addressed concerns about the justice system, stating, “Whoever raises their voice meets the cold face of this regime. In this country, journalists, youth, mayors, bureaucrats, academics are in prison.” He drew a parallel between President Erdoğan’s past legal issues, specifically the Akbil case, where Erdoğan received a three-month sentence for reading a poem, and the ongoing Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) case involving 102 individuals. Özel highlighted the perceived double standards, arguing that while Erdoğan was not detained, those in the IMM case are being held. “We trust our friends, our presidential candidate, Mayor Ekrem. If you also trust your prosecutor, come to a live broadcast. Broadcast the hearings live; let the nation see the slander and hear the response. I challenge you!” Özel urged President Erdoğan.

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