Özel to EU: Erdoğan Isn’t Türkiye—Stronger Democratic Pressure Needed

CHP leader Özgür Özel delivered a striking address at the Party of European Socialists (PES) Leaders’ Summit in Brussels, urging Europe to increase democratic pressure on President Erdoğan, while emphasizing that Türkiye should not be reduced to a single-man regime.

“Erdoğan doesn’t feel even 10% of the pressure he should,” said Özel, warning that insufficient international response is emboldening authoritarianism inside Türkiye. He added: “Türkiye is not just Erdoğan. Power change is no longer a question of if, but when.”

On Palestine: “Words Are Not Enough, Action Is Needed”

Opening his speech with the Gaza crisis, Özel said European countries must go beyond verbal condemnation of Israel and take concrete action, including the recognition of Palestine and the suspension of trade agreements with Israel. He welcomed growing support for this stance, stating, “It’s not just about words—Palestinians need real solidarity through action.”

Accuses Turkish Government of Hypocrisy on Israel

Özel criticized the AK Party’s pro-Palestinian rhetoric, claiming it contradicts Türkiye’s continued covert trade with Israel. He revealed that eight political parties recently held a major rally to expose this hypocrisy, saying, “We are pressuring the government to take a clear and honest stance.”

On Imamoğlu’s Arrest: “A Democratic Coup on March 19”

The CHP leader devoted a portion of his remarks to what he called a “judicial attack” on Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, claiming his university degree was revoked 31 years later to block his presidential candidacy.

“On the day he was declared our presidential candidate by 15.5 million Istanbul residents, he was arrested and sent to Silivri Prison—along with 10 other district mayors,” said Özel, labeling March 19 as a democratic breakdown.

“Erdoğan Is Not Irreplaceable—CHP Is Now the Leading Party”

Calling on European leaders to stop treating Erdoğan as irreplaceable, Özel argued that such perceptions strengthen autocracy at home. “This false sense of inevitability is used by Erdoğan to reinforce his grip on power,” he warned.

Özel pointed to CHP’s recent local election victories, stating: “We are the first party. We govern the majority of municipalities. Public trust is growing.”

EU Relations Must Be Based on Democracy—Not Just Migration and Security

Özel criticized the EU for reducing relations with Türkiye to “transactional arrangements” on migration and security, calling it a short-sighted approach that undermines long-term strategic cooperation.

“We reject the idea of Türkiye–EU relations being confined to refugee deals and narrow security interests,” he said, urging for a values-based partnership.

CHP’s Pledge: Fast-Track Copenhagen Criteria, Resume EU Membership Process

Reaffirming CHP’s commitment to EU accession, Özel promised that a CHP-led government would rapidly implement the Copenhagen criteria and restart Türkiye’s EU membership process, emphasizing that EU integration would also strengthen democratic institutions.

Final Call to Europe: “Engage Türkiye’s People, Not Just Its Leaders”

In closing, Özel urged European leaders to embrace the Turkish people, rather than aligning solely with those in power:

“Europe must not push Türkiye away. It must pull it closer—but into the realm of democracy and rule of law, not transactional politics. Make it clear that who governs Türkiye doesn’t change your principled stance.”