Özgür Özel Condemns Manipulated Images, Warns of Justice and Economic Breakdown

Turkey’s prominent opposition leader and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel used his address at the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Parliamentary Group Meeting to deliver a broad, pointed message that addressed digital disinformation, democratic legitimacy, economic hardship, judicial independence, and social justice. His speech combined immediate reactions to manipulated social media content with a more exhaustive structural critique of Turkey’s political and economic direction, framing 2025 as a defining year for democratic accountability.

Condemnation of Manipulated Images and Foreign Provocation

Özel strongly condemned the circulation of digitally manipulated images on social media depicting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as if U.S. soldiers were detaining him. The photos, shared with the caption “Next”, referenced fabricated visuals of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and were reportedly posted by a Greece-based account using the name Failos Kranidiotis, who presents himself as a journalist.

Özel emphasized that while political opposition to the government is legitimate, external provocations and fabricated imagery cross a clear line. He stated, “Erdoğan’ı iktidardan indirmek için ne gerekiyorsa yapıyoruz. Ama dışarıdan birileri çıkmış, Maduro’nun yapay zekâyla oluşturulmuş görüntüsünü örnek gösterip ‘Erdoğan’ı da böyle götürecekler’ diyor. Orada dur.” He underlined that no individual could forcibly detain a Turkish citizen, let alone the president, without consequences, framing the issue as one of national sovereignty and rule of law.

Remembering Labor Struggles and National Sacrifice

Opening his remarks with historical reflections, Özel commemorated the 1990 miners’ march from Zonguldak to Ankara, honoring workers who protested unsafe conditions and economic hardship. He said, “‘Aşağıda ölüm, yukarıda açlık var’ diyerek hak arayan madencilerin tarihimize bıraktığı o onurlu mücadele önünde saygıyla eğiliyorum.”

He also marked the 111th anniversary of the Sarıkamış Operation, paying tribute to soldiers who marched into extreme winter conditions during World War I. Özel described them as individuals who set out with summer uniforms, placing the homeland above their own lives, and stated that they are remembered with respect and gratitude.

Boğaziçi University and Institutional Autonomy

Özel revisited the ongoing debate surrounding Boğaziçi University, noting that protests against trustee-style governance have now entered their fifth year. He criticized the 2021 appointment of Melih Bulu as rector, arguing that it disregarded academic autonomy and institutional tradition. He praised the continued resistance of students and academics.

Looking ahead, Özel reiterated that under a CHP-led government, the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) would be abolished and university administrators would be chosen through democratic processes. He stated, “Sandık gelecek, herkes hesaplaşacak,” emphasizing elections as the mechanism for accountability.

Tax Burden and Budgetary Criticism

Turning to economic policy, Özel delivered a sharp critique of the 2025 state budget, stating that the government plans to collect 15.16 trillion Turkish lira in taxes, equivalent to 500,000 lira per second. He argued that the majority of this burden falls on workers and low-income citizens through indirect taxation, noting that only 11 lira out of every 100 lira collected comes from capital.

He characterized the existing system as “AK Parti’nin kara düzenidir,” asserting that it systematically disadvantages wage earners and pensioners.

Interest Payments, Inflation, and Cost of Living

Özel highlighted that interest payments in the budget are twice as high as public investment spending, describing the situation as “Cumhuriyet tarihinin en faizci bütçesi.” He warned citizens not to expect economic improvement in the coming year, saying, “Kimse Erdoğan’dan masallara inanmasın. Bu yıl geçen yıldan iyi olmayacak.”

He criticized continued reliance on consumption taxes for basic goods rather than luxury items and stressed that inflation targets have consistently been missed. Özel noted that while a 17% inflation target was announced for 2025, the year closed at approximately 31%, attributing the outcome to political choices rather than external shocks.

Pensions, Wages, and Eroding Purchasing Power

Addressing social welfare, Özel stated that the hunger threshold has surpassed 30,000 lira, while the minimum wage remains below this level for the first time in history since it was announced. He criticized the 12% increase in pensions, contrasting it with 34% inflation in rents, and described the situation as unsustainable.

Using concrete examples, Özel illustrated the decline in purchasing power. He said a pensioner who could once buy eight quarter-gold coins can now afford only one and a half, while the number of meat döner portions purchasable with a pension has dropped from 257 in 2002 to 38 today. He also cited the inadequacy of disability benefits, elderly allowances, and home care payments.

Judicial Trust and Rule of Law Concerns

Özel devoted a significant portion of his speech to judicial independence, stating that public trust in the judiciary has fallen to 18.7%. He argued that weak separation of powers leads directly to high inflation, elevated interest rates, and economic instability. He also criticized lower courts for failing to implement Constitutional Court decisions, calling this a systemic breakdown.

Tayfun Kahraman and Human Rights

Özel highlighted the case of Tayfun Kahraman, a Gezi trial defendant and MS patient, noting that despite a Constitutional Court ruling in favor of retrial and release, Kahraman remains in prison. He described the conditions under which Kahraman receives medical treatment, calling them inhumane, and stated, “Bu kadarını düşmanına yapmaz.”

Final Call for Accountability

Concluding his speech, Özel challenged the government to address corruption and asset ownership allegations involving members of the judiciary. He stated that the opposition is prepared to respond to all accusations in an open, live, and transparent judicial process, emphasizing that power cannot be sustained through injustice.

He closed with a warning that governments detached from justice ultimately lose both public trust and their place in history.