Özgür Özel's response to Erdoğan on Syria and 'shaking': 'You called him Assad, now you've become enemies'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Başak Cengiz Nursery and Day Care Center in Ankara, responded to President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "shaking" remarks. Özel also criticized the government's Syria policy with harsh words.

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş also attended the opening. Reacting to Erdoğan's use of the term "shaking" regarding CHP-run municipalities due to Social Security Institution (SGK) debts, Özel said, "What does 'shaking' mean? Are you shaking olive trees? Even with olives, if you harvest them properly, the yield increases. If you have fallen out of favor with the citizens, there is a way to win them back through service."

'YOU CALLED HIM ASSAD, NOW YOU'VE BECOME ENEMIES'

Özel also criticized Erdoğan's Syria policy, stating the following:

"My brother, you used to call him Assad and go on vacation hand-in-hand. Then you called him 'Esed' and became enemies. Now you have turned around and wanted to meet, but he did not accept. Turkey's Syria policy has caused great losses. 238 martyrs, 200 billion dollars in losses, and 4.5 million refugees are the result of these policies."

'IF YOU FALL OUT OF FAVOR, THE REMEDY IS SERVICE'

Özel continued his criticism of Erdoğan by citing the service approach of CHP-run municipalities as an example:

"If you are jealous of what CHP municipalities are doing, try competing in service. If you fall out of favor, the remedy is service. We have won the hearts of the citizens by admitting our mistakes and completing our shortcomings."

'WE ARE AGAINST POLICIES THAT CREATE REFUGEES'

Touching upon the refugee issue, Özel explained the CHP's approach with these words:

"We are not against refugees, but against the policies that create refugees. We will put forward realistic proposals for safe return before Turkey. This issue must be resolved with state seriousness."

The CHP leader also stated that they would organize a detailed workshop on migration policies as a party and share their solution proposals with the public. 

News Source: 12punto