Özgür Özel Slams Government Over Economic Crisis, Calls for Snap Vote and Wage Hike

By Staff Reporter

Opposition leader Özgür Özel sharply criticized the government’s economic management, arguing that Türkiye’s deepening crisis is driven not by external shocks but by domestic policy failures, and called for both a snap election and an interim wage increase.

Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting, Özel said the country has been trapped in a prolonged economic downturn since 2018, warning that institutional weakening under the presidential system has accelerated economic deterioration.

“Not War Inflation, But Policy-Driven Inflation”

Rejecting the government’s narrative that rising prices stem from geopolitical tensions, Özel argued that inflation is primarily the result of internal political decisions.

“This is not ‘war inflation,’” he said. “It is policy-driven inflation.”

He pointed to persistently high inflation, rising unemployment, and widening income inequality as evidence that the crisis has become structural. According to Özel, economic mismanagement — including controversial monetary policy decisions and political interference in the central bank — has eroded confidence and weakened the economy.

Institutional Erosion and Investor Flight

Özel argued that the shift to the presidential system weakened key institutions, undermining economic governance and accelerating capital outflows.

He noted that foreign investors have largely stayed away from Türkiye, while domestic investors have sought to move their savings abroad. Major international companies, he added, have increasingly redirected investments to other regional markets, particularly in the Balkans.

Özel also referenced what he described as a “civilian coup” in March 2025, claiming that authorities sold approximately $60 billion in reserves to stabilize markets, further damaging investor confidence.

“This government has shrunk the people’s bread,” he said, arguing that economic policy decisions have directly reduced purchasing power.

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Everyday Impact: “Children Buying on Credit”

Highlighting the social consequences of the crisis, Özel pointed to deteriorating living conditions, particularly among low-income households.

He described scenes in school cafeterias where children are unable to afford basic items such as a simple sandwich, with purchases being split into smaller portions or recorded as debt.

“Children as young as 8, 10, 15 are being introduced to debt notebooks,” he said, framing the issue as a symbol of deepening poverty and inequality.

Chronic Crisis and Policy Failure

Özel described Türkiye’s current economic situation as a “chronic multi-layered crisis,” arguing that the country no longer experiences cyclical downturns but a persistent state of instability.

He warned that the economy remains highly vulnerable to external shocks, citing the Iran conflict as an example of a risk for which Türkiye was unprepared.

According to Özel, inflation, unemployment, and inequality indicators have all deteriorated significantly, placing Türkiye among the worst-performing countries in Europe on these metrics.

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Political Pressure and Rule of Law Concerns

Beyond the economy, Özel also criticized what he described as increasing political pressure on the opposition, including legal actions against party officials.

He argued that judicial measures are being used as a political tool, stating that “those who cannot compete politically resort to interventions through the judiciary.”

Calls for Snap Election and Wage Adjustment

Özel called for a snap election as the primary mechanism to resolve the political and economic crisis, emphasizing that democratic processes are essential for restoring stability.

He also urged the government to implement an interim wage increase to support workers facing rising living costs.

“The way out of this period is a snap election,” he said. “For our democracy, a mid-term vote; for our workers, a wage adjustment — these are indispensable.”

Reform Proposals and Transparency

Özel added that there is growing consensus within the opposition on the need for greater transparency in public life, including mandatory asset declarations for politicians and senior officials.

He said his party plans to introduce a political ethics law aimed at strengthening accountability and restoring trust in public institutions.