Özgür Özel sends early election message in İzmir

The opening ceremony of the Ferdi Zeyrek Sports Complex in İzmir's Bayraklı district took place with the participation of Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel. The ceremony saw intense interest from CHP Deputy Chairman Gökçe Gökçen, Party Assembly members, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, district mayors, and numerous citizens.

INTERVENTIONS AND POLITICAL TENSION

Among the primary topics that left their mark on the event were the restrictions imposed on the Vocational Factory affiliated with the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. Describing these interventions as "jealousy," Özgür Özel stated, "We warned about this in parliament before; political calculations, not public interest, are coming to the fore here." Drawing attention to the importance of the training the factory has provided since its establishment, Özel said, "Currently, thousands of trainees are graduating and joining the workforce through 531 different courses here."

Furthermore, emphasizing the change in the government's approach toward İzmir during and after the election process, Özel assessed, "Those who said 'We love İzmir' before the election are now surrounding this area with the state's police and want to obstruct services."

During the opening ceremony, the infrastructure and social municipal projects implemented by the Bayraklı Municipality were also brought to the agenda. Providing information such as, "33 thousand tons of asphalt were laid, new parks were added, a 'Spring House' (Baharevi) was opened for retirees, and City Restaurants began serving," Özel noted that the Women's Counseling Center provides services to 2 thousand 800 women.

Additionally, stating that work will be carried out without outsourcing through 38 new service vehicles purchased with the municipality's own resources, Özel expressed that the municipality will both save money and create new employment opportunities in this way.

RECORD IN SOCIAL SERVICES

Highlighting the social projects recently carried out by CHP municipalities, Özel said, "We reached 802 of our goal of opening one thousand kindergartens in five years in just 25 months, 78 student dormitories were completed, and the number of City Restaurants and public markets increased rapidly." He also stated that social assistance has increased to 4.6 times that of previous periods, adding, "They used to say social assistance would be cut if the CHP came to power; on the contrary, we increased it."

Commemorating Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, whose name was given to the opened sports complex, Özel said, "Children will say 'Mom, I'm going to Ferdi Zeyrek's' when they leave the house. Keeping him alive in our hearts is very meaningful for us." Ferdi Zeyrek's wife, Nurcan Zeyrek, also attended the ceremony. Nurcan Zeyrek expressed, "Being here today and keeping Ferdi's name alive is very meaningful and emotional. I thank everyone who contributed."

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay, in his speech, pointed out that the government does not make sufficient investments in İzmir and called, "Let them implement the area they promised as a 'Nation's Garden' (Millet Bahçesi), so we can see it."

CALL FOR EARLY ELECTIONS

Criticizing the government with harsh words at the end of his speech, Özel said that Turkey is experiencing major problems in a democratic sense. Stating, "Today, the country is under the occupation of a distorted mentality. There is a government that came with the ballot box but does not want to leave with the ballot box," Özel challenged President Erdoğan and repeated his call for early elections: "Since you are making so many accusations, I challenge you. Bring the ballot box, let the nation decide."

Bayraklı Mayor İrfan Önal also emphasized at the ceremony that they are performing their duties despite political pressures and are implementing projects that invest in the future of the district.

At the ceremony, the approaches of local governments in İzmir and Bayraklı that prioritize social benefit and the culture of solidarity they have grown together with the citizens stood out.

News Source: 12punto