Özgür Özel warns against secret bargaining: 'We will not change the constitution, we support democratic steps'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel met with university students in İzmir. After the opening of the Özge Polat City Library, Özel met with young people and evaluated his meeting with the DEM Party Imralı Delegation and Turkey's democratic opening process.

Answering questions from the youth, Özel said regarding Turkey's resolution process, "There is a process being conducted behind closed doors, and this is creating major question marks in the public eye. As the CHP, we advocate that whatever is to be done should be done under the roof of the Parliament, in a transparent manner. We will not say yes to anything other than democratic steps."

"We Will Not Let the Constitution Be Changed"

Displaying a clear stance on the meetings held with the DEM Party Imralı Delegation, Özel stated, "We will not be part of any secret bargaining. We have been saying for years that the Kurdish issue must be resolved through democratic means. However, this process must be carried out by a commission where families of martyrs and veterans are also represented, and it must be based on social consensus."

"The Education and Planning Crisis Is Huge"

Özel also answered questions from young people regarding unemployment and brain drain abroad. Özel said, "Turkey's lack of planning creates serious problems in every field. From pharmacy to engineering, more graduates are being produced than needed in many sectors. Our strategy is to create an education and employment policy based on planning with the goal of European Union membership."

"Democratic Rights Must Be Provided to All Citizens"

Regarding the resolution of the Kurdish issue, Özel emphasized equality, stating, "If there are rights that Turks benefit from but Kurds cannot, contrary to the principle of equality in the constitution, these must definitely be provided. This process must be a democratic transformation process where discrimination ends and freedoms are expanded."

Stating that Turkey must reach European standards on the path to democratization, Özel said, "If this is done, Turkey's path will be cleared; both economic and social prosperity will be achieved."

News Source: 12punto