Özgür Özel responds to Erdoğan's 'could not digest' remarks: The People's Alliance partners are communicating through us

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made statements to journalists following the Eid prayer.

Özel responded to the statement by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 'The friend at the head of the CHP could not digest our return visit' by saying the following.

Stating that he did not take Erdoğan's words personally, Özel said, "He is likely saying this to his own alliance partner. The partners of the People's Alliance are communicating through us. Please, let them communicate directly, just as we did during the Ramadan and Eid al-Adha holidays. One is sending a message to the other through me. They are saying, 'You be the partner of the alliance, we are not, but we are here if needed.' The other turns around and says, 'There are those who cannot digest this visit.' They should not speak through us." he said.

Özel's statements are as follows:

"When I was elected chairman of the CHP, I said that we needed to end the politics of tension, that everyone should do their own job, and that political parties should maintain courteous relations with one another.

After we emerged as the leading party on March 31, I called all the political party leaders during the Ramadan Feast.

When I was elected chairman, the President did not call to congratulate me. But he was the leading party then; now we are the leading party.

We said it was our duty, and we called all the political parties, starting with him, to exchange holiday greetings. Then we made an appointment, negotiated, and exchanged views.

He also said that he would pay a return visit after this meeting.

During the 5-week period that has passed, people in Turkey called for normalization in politics, and everyone was pleased with this. 

Mr. Bahçeli was also pleased with this, but certain factions within Bahçeli's party were uncomfortable with it. They resorted to insults and threats at every opportunity.

There were some assessments made by Mr. Bahçeli regarding that tense atmosphere.

I would like to state once again that I will not pick a fight just because someone wants me to. My job is not to create tension, but to voice the problems of the people who are currently victims, oppressed, and whose products are not fetching a fair price.

I welcome all the assessments made after this visit with respect and satisfaction.

We do not take that remark personally at all. Because we are the ones who initiated this process. He is likely saying this to his own alliance partner. The partners of the People's Alliance are communicating through us. Please, let them communicate directly, just as we did during the Ramadan and Eid al-Adha holidays. 

One is sending a message to the other through me. They say, 'You be the partner of the alliance, we are not involved, but we are here if needed.' The other turns around and says, 'There are those who cannot digest this visit.' They should not speak through us. If they are going to say nice things to each other, they should say them to each other. If they are going to say bad things, they should say them to each other.

In any case, they have been getting along well until now. They will continue to get along well from now on. 

The problem here is that their partnership has unfortunately brought unemployment and poverty to the country. Today, there is a partnership in the country that sets wheat and tea prices below production costs, and we fear they will announce hazelnut prices below production costs, and we fear they will announce dried grape prices below production costs. The problem is here. Otherwise, let them get along well and be together; no one is criticizing their unity, but if this unity produces hunger, poverty, misery, and unemployment, the problem is here. I am concerned with solving these problems. Once again, I wish a happy holiday to the leaders, members, and voters of all political parties, regardless of their political views."

"WE WILL FILL THE SQUARES AND SHOW THE HARSHES REACTION"

When asked whether the issue of an interim raise for minimum wage earners and the July raise rate for retirees came up during his meeting with Erdoğan, Özel stated that this topic was indeed discussed, but they did not receive any signals that would make them very hopeful.

Stating that he gained the impression that a raise below inflation would be given to retirees and that no raise would be provided for the minimum wage, Özel said, "It is impossible for us to accept this. If it happens this way, we cannot remain silent. Normalization is not this. Normalization should not mean that politicians who have been arguing for years stop criticizing each other; it should result in those who have been denied their rights for years finally receiving them. If there is to be normalization, it must start with retirees and laborers. It must start with farmers and tradespeople. Unless they are happy, we cannot be happy. If they do not raise the minimum wage, we will fight on this issue on every platform. We will ultimately take to the streets. We will fill the squares and show the strongest reaction." he said.

Regarding the process of drafting a new constitution, Özel also "found discussions about a new constitution meaningless while the current constitution is being violated" he said.

When asked whether they were considering submitting a motion to restrict the entry of Israeli passport holders into Turkey, Özel replied, "In Turkey, it is not the legislature, meaning Parliament, but the executive branch that is authorized regarding passports and procedures to be carried out on passports. We are ready to discuss and support everything that may come from the government on this matter that could provide support to Palestine and impose sanctions on Israel. At this point, whatever step the government plans to take, let them prepare it as the executive branch, and we, as the legislative assembly and the main opposition party, are ready to provide all kinds of support." he replied.

News Source: 12punto