Clear call from CHP to the government: 'The ballot box must come as soon as possible'

The Republican People's Party's (CHP) 106th "Defending the National Will" rally took place this time in Sakarya. The Adapazarı Democracy Square was flooded by a large crowd from the early hours of the morning. Participants sent strong messages to the government with slogans such as "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us" and "President İmamoğlu."

A letter sent to the rally by the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP's presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu, was received with enthusiasm in the square. The letter was read by the Sakarya Provincial Chair, Oğuz Can Curoğlu.

"WHOEVER REMAINS SILENT AGAINST INJUSTICE BEARS THE GREATEST BURDEN"

The following points stood out in İmamoğlu's message:

"Whoever remains silent against the injustice they see, bears the greatest burden."

Furthermore, İmamoğlu stated that injustice and arbitrariness prevail in the country, and expressed that a prosperous order centered on justice would be built.

Speaking at the rally, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel pointed out that despite the support the people of Sakarya have given to the government, they have not seen justice in terms of services. Reminding that the city's wounds from the earthquake have still not been healed, Özel also said the following regarding the balance of taxes and investments:

"Sakarya paid 70 billion liras in taxes last year, but in return, it received only 12 billion liras in investment. This city gave seven and received one."

Özel's criticisms were not limited to this. Addressing the problems of retirees, minimum wage earners, farmers, and producers, he stated that the government is unable to produce solutions to social problems.

EARTHQUAKE, HOUSING, AND INVESTMENT ISSUES ON THE AGENDA

Özgür Özel emphasized that although the CHP has not been able to win the municipality in Sakarya for many years, it has never turned its back on the people of the city. He stated that Sakarya's post-earthquake needs have still not been met, and that many problems persist, from education to housing, and from health to urban services.

"They come before the election and take your vote, then they forget Sakarya. Urban transformation has still not been completed since the 1999 earthquake."

On the other hand, touching upon the housing crisis in Sakarya, Özel emphasized that rents have increased by 970 percent in the last 4 years and added the following words:

"TOKİ will not build luxury villas for the rich, but dormitories for students and lodgings for civil servants. We will solve the housing crisis from the root."

EMPHASIS ON SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND PRODUCERS

The CHP leader pointed out that foreign dependency in agriculture has increased and that farmers are not receiving the support they deserve. Criticizing the closure of the Meat and Milk Board and sugar factories, Özel promised that these facilities would be reopened.

"We will not provide guarantees to money barons, bankers, or cronies; we will provide them to the farmers and producers."

He also drew attention to the fact that the tax system in Turkey is unjust, pointing to the weight of indirect taxes and the widening gap between the rich and the low-income earners.

"THE BALLOT BOX MUST COME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE"

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel concluded his speech by reiterating his demand for an early election:

"We want the ballot box as soon as possible."

MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM İMAMOĞLU

Before the rally, Ekrem İmamoğlu, who shared a post from the Presidential Candidate Office's social media account, had invited citizens to the rally in Sakarya. İmamoğlu had given the following message:

"We are meeting in Sakarya tomorrow. I am also with you from behind the screen."

Footage of İmamoğlu's previous statement in Sakarya, "We will govern this country with the children of the nation," was also shared on social media.

News Source: 12punto