Has the normalization process been shelved: Statement from Özgür Özel

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel made important statements regarding the agenda at the end of the second day of the meeting held in Istanbul.

Speaking about the goals set for the legislative year, Özel said that the CHP would bring the problems of segments such as retirees, minimum wage earners, farmers, and tradespeople to the budget negotiations.

MINIMUM WAGE HIKE DEBATE

Özel stated that the government is considering a raise of only 20 percent for minimum wage earners, saying, "If a raise is made at the normal inflation rate, the minimum wage should be 25 thousand liras, and if it is at the felt inflation rate, it should be 30 thousand liras."

The issue of appointing a trustee to the Esenyurt Municipality was also discussed at the meeting. Stating that the CHP wants to visit the imprisoned Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer at Silivri Prison, Özel announced that they have applied to the Ministry of Justice in this regard.

Özgür Özel also made a statement regarding Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş not attending the rally held in Esenyurt.

Emphasizing that there is no resentment between him and Yavaş, Özel said, "Mr. Mansur has clearly expressed that he is against trustee practices. His inability to attend the rally in Esenyurt was due to his busy schedule."

Touching on the importance of the normalization process in politics, Özel underlined that it is normal for political party leaders to meet, but that the real reconciliation process should be achieved with the public, not between leaders.

Özel said, "This is a subject we will never abandon. However, this does not mean that we will remain silent in the face of the government's trustee appointments. We will continue to provide the harshest opposition."

Özgür Özel stated that the main opposition party can meet with the government when necessary, such as by exchanging holiday greetings or coming together, but at the same time, it can maintain a firm stance against injustices.

"What we call normalization is not about establishing relationships with Erdoğan or Bahçeli, but reaching out directly to voters and producing solutions to their problems," said Özel, noting that this approach is reflected positively in public opinion polls.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY DISCUSSIONS

Addressing the speculations about the CHP's presidential candidate at the meeting, Özel said, "Candidacy discussions are harming our party. Therefore, we do not think it is right to bring names to the agenda."

Stating that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu shares the same view within the party, Özel said, "The most important issue right now is to strengthen our party and continue our efforts to change the government."

Responding to questions about the Kurdish issue, Özel pointed out the importance of all parties participating in the process under the roof of the Parliament without being excluded by creating a democratic ground, rather than discussing the CHP's red lines regarding the solution.

"In the search for social consensus, martyrs' families and veterans are indispensable," said Özel, adding that they absolutely do not find an approach such as PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan having a role in Parliament to be correct.