Mahmut Tanal's archival response to Minister Göktaş, who criticized the boycott: 'Is this what you call national?'

Turkey is debating the growing economic boycott call following protests against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. While the university students' call to halt consumption on April 2 found support from a wide range of people, from opposition leaders to artists, the government is criticizing the boycott with harsh words.

The AKP administration has mobilized in full force against the boycott. While ministers argued on television screens in the middle of the night that the boycott was harmful, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed in a statement from the palace that the boycott was an "imperialist game." Yet, as recently as January, Erdoğan had stated that the right to boycott was legitimate.

During this process, CHP Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal targeted the AKP figures who opposed the boycott and shared documents on social media reminding them of their pasts. Tanal's posts hit the agenda like a bombshell.

CITIZENSHIP CRITICISM FOR MINISTER GÖKTAŞ 

One of the names opposing the boycott was Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş. Targeting Göktaş, Tanal criticized her rhetoric on nationalism through the lens of dual citizenship.

In a post on his social media account, Tanal stated, "Look at the minister who gives lessons on being local and national! You are a citizen of both Belgium and Turkey, along with your spouse and children. You grab a seat with dual citizenship, and then you test the public on nationalism."

OPENED THE FILE ON PAID MILITARY SERVICE  

Another name who reacted harshly to the boycott was AKP Yalova MP and Deputy Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş. In a post on his social media account, Büyükgümüş said, "The CHP is setting its sights on the bread of tradesmen and workers by calling for a halt to the economy. In 2025, they are exhibiting the most violent examples of fascism."

Tanal responded to these statements immediately. The CHP deputy made a striking claim regarding Büyükgümüş's past:

"Is this what you call being local? Is this what you call being national? Is this what you call patriotism? AKP Yalova MP and Deputy Chairman Ahmet Büyükgümüş... He did his paid military service. But he neither received permission from the TBMM nor left his post! He both received his MP salary and the state paid his insurance premiums! Yet, when a civil servant in this country does paid military service, their salary is cut and their insurance stops! It's not for the citizen, but it is for the MP! What kind of justice is this? What kind of equality is this?"

While Tanal's posts caused a wide stir on social media, there has been no statement from the government front yet.

''WHERE WERE YOU WHEN LOCAL AND NATIONAL VALUES WERE SOLD FOR THREE CENTS?''

Mahmut Tanal directed his criticisms not only at those opposing the boycott but also at the AKP's privatization policies. Emphasizing that the AKP has disposed of strategic public institutions over the years, Tanal used the following expressions:

"During the AKP government period, many strategic institutions and organizations, which are the apple of our country's eye, were transferred to foreign capital or the private sector. With these privatizations, the values that our nation created through years of hard work were sold off for almost nothing."

Tanal listed the critical organizations that were privatized as follows:

TÜPRAŞ: Turkey's largest oil refinery was sold to Koç Holding in 2005.

TEKEL: Its alcoholic beverages division was sold to British American Tobacco for 292 million dollars in 2004, and its cigarette division for 1.72 billion dollars in 2008.

PETKİM: Transferred to the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR in 2008.

Türk Telekom: Sold to the Lebanon-based Oger Telecom for 6.5 billion dollars in 2005.

Erdemir: Transferred to OYAK in 2005.

SEKA: Many factories of SEKA, the pioneer of the paper industry, were closed or privatized.

Sugar Factories: Privatized and transferred to the private sector in 2018.

Tanal criticized the government's "local and national" rhetoric, reacting by saying, "Where were you when these institutions were being sold?"

THE OPPOSITION'S BOYCOTT CALL IS GROWING 

The economic boycott call supported by the opposition is spreading. Led by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, NGOs, artists, and civil society organizations are supporting the call to halt consumption on April 2.

News Source: 12punto