CHP Chairman Özgür Özel Responds Strongly to Trustee Rumors and Criticizes Economic Management

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel delivered a fiery speech during his party’s group meeting on Tuesday, issuing strong criticisms of the government’s economic policies and responding defiantly to recent judicial developments concerning the party.

Addressing the indictment accepted earlier in the day regarding the CHP congress, which raised the possibility of a trustee being appointed to the party, Özel did not hold back.

“I am saying this clearly: we are here with our party council, our 81 provincial chairpersons, and our 2 million members. Bring it on! We will not hand over Atatürk’s party to anyone through judicial games,” said Özel, drawing applause from party members. “We are here. We are telling both friends and enemies that we will win and we will not surrender. Bring it on, bring it on, bring it on!”

In addition to his remarks on the legal case, Özel also criticized the government’s handling of the economy, although he did not elaborate in detail during this address. He reiterated that the CHP would continue to stand firm against what he described as undemocratic interference and politically motivated legal maneuvers.

The case regarding the party’s convention has stirred significant political debate, with opposition figures warning of a potential attempt to undermine the CHP’s internal democracy through the judiciary.

Özgür Özel Slams Government Over Trustee Rumors, Detentions, and Economic Failures: “We Will Not Surrender Atatürk’s Party”

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel delivered a sharp and defiant speech during the party’s group meeting, issuing strong criticisms against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the government. Özel addressed growing speculation about a possible trustee appointment to the CHP leadership and condemned recent police operations targeting CHP-run municipalities.

Call to Erdoğan: “Go Out Into the Streets”

Inviting President Erdoğan to face the realities of daily life, Özel said, “Go out into the streets, to the markets, among the people. The people are waiting for you to keep your promises. They vote according to that. You cannot sit in that chair without raising the minimum wage, increasing pensions, and solving the problem of unemployment.”

He continued his criticism, accusing the government of attempting to undermine the democratic will of voters: “You did not come here to stage a coup against elected officials and take over the municipalities when you lost the election. If we are talking about negotiating with the leader of a terrorist organization today, if you are doing what you said you would not do, you are not legitimate. You cannot sit in that seat for even a day.”

Reaction to Detentions and Public Displays

Özel strongly objected to the treatment of detained CHP mayors and municipal officials, particularly the publicized images of them being taken for health checks early in the morning.

“They filmed it as part of an effort to discredit them,” Özel said, characterizing the move as political theater.

He drew comparisons to past high-profile detentions and releases, stating, “In Turkey, our so-called ‘world leader’ decides who goes to prison, and other world leaders decide who gets released. Pastor Brunson, Deniz Yücel, the Büyükada detainees, the French journalist — all of them were released by a phone call from foreign heads of state.”

Visual Display of Media Control Allegations

In a dramatic moment, Özel held up a cardboard display titled “A person knows their own business,” showing newspaper clippings alleging government propaganda and misuse of media during past election periods.

“What are they accusing us of?” he asked. “What did Erdoğan do during that period? He distributed money to the media, gave billboards for free. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about the pool media? That Binali Yıldırım created the pool, that businessmen close to the AKP funneled money into it, and that these channels were bought with that money?”

He concluded that, “The leader of this coup resigned from the presidency and chose to become the leader of the junta.”

Firm Stand Against Trustee Rumors

Özel closed his speech with a firm declaration of resistance against any judicial intervention aimed at the CHP:

“Since there is no trustee, they are trying to remove us from the party leadership by other means. The CHP is here with its group, party assembly, 81 provincial chairpersons, 973 district chairpersons, and 2 million members. We will not appoint a trustee to Atatürk’s party, nor will we surrender to judicial games. We are here, bring it on. Our 2 million members will confront the forehead of anyone who tries to take over Atatürk’s party without an election. We will not surrender; Erdoğan will leave.”

The escalating rhetoric from the CHP leader comes amid growing tensions between the government and opposition, with legal and political maneuverings increasingly at the center of national debate.