Özgür Özel Slams Mehmet Şimşek: “They’re Beating Him with a Club”
özgür özel
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel delivered a series of sharp criticisms following his meeting with Constitutional Court President Kadir Özkaya. In his post-meeting press statement, Özel addressed the lawsuit seeking to annul CHP’s recent party congress, took aim at Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, and responded to recent remarks by President Erdoğan.
“They’re Trying to Stir Chaos in CHP”
Commenting on the court case challenging the legality of CHP’s congress, Özel said: “This is not about the outcome, it’s about creating noise. The aim is to portray the CHP as divided. But every valid vote was cast in my favor, and for the first time in our party’s history, the chair’s slate was accepted without amendments. There is no ground left to question this congress.”
Özel Targets Yeni Şafak’s Coverage: “A Club to the Head”
Özel sharply criticized pro-government daily Yeni Şafak for its recent front-page attack on Mehmet Şimşek. “Yeni Şafak hit Şimşek over the head with a club today. Their support lies with the President’s son-in-law. He’s using Yeni Şafak to take swipes at Şimşek and his policies.”
He added, “Those looking for factional chaos should turn to Yeni Şafak. It’s more entertaining than any soap opera.”
Erdoğan’s “Octopus” Comment Dismissed
Responding to President Erdoğan’s claim that “tentacles of the octopus stretching from Istanbul to abroad are being revealed,” Özel stated: “This is something only he sees. When one person claims to see something no one else can, there’s a term for that in psychology. No one will believe in guilt without evidence.”
Warning Against Constitutional Violations
Özel condemned the unconstitutional methods used in the recent selection process for members of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), noting that the parliamentary committee violated procedures clearly outlined in the Constitution. “They bypassed consensus, split their own votes, and pushed two AKP candidates into the final draw. This is a blatant violation of the law.”
He called on the Constitutional Court to exercise its long-dormant authority to suspend unlawful appointments: “It’s time the Court stood firm against executive overreach.”
Minimum Wage: “A Raise All Workers Must Own”
Özel also signaled an upcoming push for an interim hike to the minimum wage. “We’re scheduling meetings with DİSK, TİSK, Hak-İş, and Türk-İş. After that, we’ll clarify our demands and present them publicly. This cause must be embraced by all workers.”
Final Remarks: “The Real Chaos Is in the Ruling Party”
Özel concluded by stating that while media outlets attempt to paint CHP as divided, the real discord lies within the AKP. “There’s no confusion in CHP. I won every valid vote. The real battle is in the government — they’re not just fighting silently; they’re doing it with headlines.”
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