CHP leader Özgür Özel announces new minimum wage in quarter-gold terms

Ahead of the rally held at 15 Temmuz Milli İrade Meydanı (July 15 National Will Square), the area was closed off with police barricades. Turkish flags, portraits of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, CHP leader Özgür Özel, and CHP flags were hung in the square.

A banner reading "The nation stands by its will" featured photos of CHP leader Özel and CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Also on display were a banner reading "Free İmamoğlu" bearing a photo of Ekrem İmamoğlu, and a banner reading "We will not forget" featuring a photo of Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who died in a traffic accident.

CHP LEADER ÖZGÜR ÖZEL ANNOUNCES NEW MINIMUM WAGE FIGURE

CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed the square where thousands had gathered in Aksaray. Noting that thousands had turned out in Aksaray — a province where the party had previously received less than 8 percent of the vote — Özel said: "Aksaray is no longer anyone's stronghold; Aksaray belongs to the nation." Özel added: "Our politics has no 'other.' We look down on no one, we condescend to no one. Today there are those imposing a dark order on Turkey. Unfortunately, this dark order is one that divides people into classes, that sees only those close to power and those far from it, that recognises only its cronies and networks of self-interest."

Key points from CHP leader Özel's speech:

"We are on the soil where Anatolian wisdom has taken root. We are in Aksaray, blessed by the prayers of Somuncu Baba. Many people from Aksaray gave their lives in the War of Independence. Mustafa Vehbi Bey, who joined the national struggle at that time, became a member of parliament. Then the army needed resources and he donated everything he had. On one hand, those who gave all their wealth to zero for the homeland. On the other hand, those who say 'Daddy, daddy' and drain the treasury to zero. That is why Aksaray filled this square — the square that Tayyip Erdoğan could not fill — to overflowing. We came today to rise up against injustice in income and against injustice in the courts. We came today not just to hold a rally but to take action, because rents have gone through the roof while pensioners receive salaries below the poverty line.

Shame on the order that condemns Emine Teyze, who lives alone and receives 4,250 lira a month. From now on we will never leave each other alone. This order that finds money for everything but never, ever finds money for pensioners has broken records in unemployment. One-third of Turkey — 33 percent — is struggling with unemployment. They turned a deaf ear to those holding rallies. Now Türk-İş has decided to strike at 500 workplaces at once. Now is the time to stand behind the workers who show courage. Because without workers being free, the country cannot be free. Without pensioners being free, tradespeople cannot be free; without tradespeople being free, farmers cannot be free; without the young people they pit against each other being free, police cannot be free; without police being free, the gendarmerie cannot be free."

The wealthiest 20 percent of the country has taken 90 percent of the wealth. I swear the short straw will claim its due from the long straw, and those they looked down upon will claim their due from those who towered over them.

Our forests burn and our people grab water jugs and run to the fire; an earthquake strikes and people lift rubble with their bare hands; frost hits the fields and farmers return empty-handed. If 301 chicks die in Europe it makes headlines; 301 miners die. The state is expected but it looks after a handful. They do not look after the people. A system comes along that sings the praises of a president who appoints ministers who do not do their jobs. We will fight against this order that sees none of us. We will succeed together.

When we come to power, our president will be someone who, like the first president, says "The farmer is the master of the nation" — that person will be Ekrem İmamoğlu.

"THE MINIMUM WAGE WILL BE 7 QUARTER-GOLDS"

Turkey is the grain store of the region, yet groundwater has receded. Water is not being brought from the Kızılırmak. Last year urea cost 13.5 lira per kilogram; now it has doubled. If you want to raise livestock, feed that cost 10 lira has gone up to 15 lira. But no one is thinking about subsidies or writing off the interest on debts. As CHP, we see that in certain parts of Aksaray and in Niğde, the cost of producing potatoes is 8–9 lira per kilogram, yet they sell for 5 lira. We are proposing that interest be written off and the principal be divided by five. Will they do it? They will not. We are coming to power to do it.

Tuz Gölü was the pride of Aksaray. They destroyed it with hydroelectric power plants. For years they have been promising an airport, promising a ring road; if a hotel were built tourists would come, if the railway were built a route to Mersin would open and contribute to the economy. Enormous numbers of tourists come to Cappadocia. But not a drop of water reaches here. We will provide support so that everyone can live as they deserve. When they came to power, the minimum wage was 7 quarter-golds. A quarter-gold is 7,000 lira. So when they came to power the minimum wage was 50,000 lira — now it is 22,000 lira. Send them packing and the minimum wage will be 7 quarter-golds.

We could not become the first party for 47 years, but we never attempted a coup. Erdoğan, who received votes from every corner of Turkey, was defeated by CHP in this election. We worked very hard, we believed in the people, we came first. He should have shown patience for 47 months. He could not wait 47 days. They staged a coup against the party that will be the ruling party in the next election. They are simply making false accusations. Every kind of lie is there. Is there evidence? Is there proof? Is there an indictment? Is there credibility? They could not prove a single blind penny of bribery. Despite all the slanders levelled over 135 days, I say this from Aksaray, looking all of Turkey in the eye: My friends came through this test with their heads held high."

"WE WILL DISMANTLE THE 'WHITE TOROS' GANG"

In the old days, JİTEM had its white Toros cars. Now those at Çağlayan have their white Toros cars. I swear we will dismantle the white Toros gang. Today that gang in Istanbul had previously lined up our politician friends like a string of beads and served them up to all of Turkey. I told them: "If you do this again, I will rub your nose in it." Today they have done the same thing to a lowly İETT employee. Hey Erdoğan — you were questioned in Istanbul, the police did not come to your door. You did not spend a single day in detention. You were tried without arrest. You went to prison to the sound of drums and pipes. For years you spewed hatred. But you subjected our friends to oppression you would never have tolerated yourself. You are persecuting the institution of Yaşar Kemal and Tuncel Kurtiz. Perhaps he will be released tomorrow — do not humiliate him before his children and neighbours. Erdoğan, either dismantle that gang or we will dismantle it!

"WE DEMAND A LIVE BROADCAST ON TRT"

Muhittin Böcek was intubated for 105 days. He takes 15 medications. What good does it do you to go after Muhittin Böcek's life? Before the election his son bought a house. What does that have to do with his father — why are you holding him? Aziz İhsan Aktaş received his payment from an AKP municipality. He made a false accusation saying they did not pay him. If Zeydan Karalar were tried in Adana it would be over in 1 day. But they are persecuting him, saying "Are you the one who twisted our arm in Adana?" We believe in the innocence of all our friends. We demand a live broadcast on TRT for all of them. We will watch the entire trial. You will see that our friends are innocent. Because Aziz İhsan Aktaş's most active work was with the MHP-run Kütahya Municipality, they separated the file and sent it to Kütahya. They are rounding up our friends from all across Turkey.

"YOU HAVE NO LOVE FOR PALESTINE — YOU HAVE SENSITIVITY FOR TRUMP"

I get angry every day, but today Erdoğan finally mentioned Palestine. Trump says "I will clear out Gaza and build hotels" — do you say a single word? Turkish republics are recognising Southern Cyprus, Israel killed Ayşenur Ezgi, Rumeysa Ozturk is being held in the United States, the treatment of the Madleen vessel is there for all to see — and without saying a single word about any of this, you say "Özgür Özel cannot question my love for Palestine." Something that does not exist cannot be questioned. You have no love for Palestine — you have sensitivity for Trump. You have become someone who does not fear God but fears Trump. Our line is the struggle that Deniz Gezmiş and his comrades waged alongside the PFLP. Our love for Palestine cannot be suppressed by fear of America the way yours can.

"WHERE CHP EXISTS, THERE IS THE GUARANTEE OF THE REPUBLIC"

In recent days there have been many statements in Turkey that give cause for concern. At a meeting where Erdoğan said eleven times "I will announce great news," he said "Turks, Kurds, and Arabs are brothers." In this country there are also Laz, Circassians, Georgians, and Pomaks. The rights of all of them are entrusted to CHP. The overstepping American ambassador recently spoke of the Ottoman millet system. Most recently he said "I am talking about a sectarian order." The man has lost his mind. He talks of tribes, religion, sects. In Turkey all sects live side by side — there is a republic. Of course there are mistakes, there are injustices. We will certainly join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder to make everyone equal. Let the US Ambassador, whoever wrote that teleprompter script, and Erdoğan all hear this: if we allow a nail to be driven into the pillar of the republic, we are without honour. Where CHP is absent, fear that commission. Where CHP exists, there is the guarantee of the republic.

No one in this country can touch the unity of the nation. A constitution cannot be made with those who do not comply with the constitution. No one should inflate Tayyip Erdoğan in their eyes. The latest polls show Erdoğan at 29, up from 28.5. I will not let you stay there with 29. Look at what Aksaray says: I am the people, I am the national will — release my candidate, bring the ballot box, I want my candidate beside me and the ballot box in front of me. That ballot box will come, Erdoğan will go. Ekrem İmamoğlu will come and put an end to all the troubles."

EKREM İMAMOĞLU: DOES THE SCALES OF JUSTICE IN THE COURTS WEIGH EVERYONE EQUALLY?

İmamoğlu's message was read by CHP Aksaray Provincial Chair Bilal Özdemir. In his letter read by Özdemir, İmamoğlu said:

"Greetings to Aksaray, the beautiful city of Anatolia in our heavenly homeland Turkey. Young people, women, gentlemen… Hello! Hello! Beautiful people of Aksaray, land of the brave and the saints; across every corner of our country, everyone is seeking peace, prosperity, and abundance. The resources of this heavenly homeland are plentiful and rich, but without justice there is no peace, no prosperity, no abundance. I ask you: Does the scales of justice in the courts weigh everyone equally? Is there justice in the income you earn and the taxes you pay? Can everyone access quality education and healthcare equally? Can everyone benefit from the state's resources and opportunities on equal terms? Unfortunately, none of this is happening. In every corner of this beautiful country, in every area of life, injustice runs rampant. In every household of this beautiful country, the pain of wrongs and injustices is felt. Turkey cannot grow this way, cannot become strong this way."

"EVERYONE WILL FIND THE STATE'S JUST, COMPASSIONATE, AND STRONG HAND BY THEIR SIDE"

"We will, above all else, build a state structure that rises on the foundation of justice — one where institutions and rules, not any single person, are supreme. The state will be the guarantor of the rights and freedoms of everyone, not of this or that faction. Everyone will have access to basic rights such as housing, nutrition, education, and healthcare, and to conditions for a dignified life. All workers and labourers will receive the fruits of their toil and will enjoy the most advanced working conditions and rights in the world. In the fields, workshops, offices, and factories — wherever they may be — all producers and entrepreneurs in this country will attain the healthiest and most profitable conditions for production, investment, and trade. We will not leave anyone at the mercy of the market's ruthless conditions. Everyone will find the state's just, compassionate, and strong hand by their side."

"FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE — JUSTICE FIRST, FREEDOM FIRST…"

"Our nation will feel, in the strongest possible way, that it is the sole owner of this country and state. All administrators of the state will know their limits and boundaries before the citizen. Loyalty to a person or a party will not be the criterion — merit will be. It will not be the children of this or that party but the children of the nation who govern the country. That is why we cry out from Aksaray: For everyone, everywhere — justice first, freedom first… Turkey will grow, prosper, and become strong through the power of justice and freedom. Never forget: the nation is great. Whatever the nation says, so it shall be. These oppressions will end, this darkness will lift. Love will prevail, goodness will prevail. We will always stand tall. We will always be together, always shoulder to shoulder, and everything will be very beautiful. Ekrem İmamoğlu."

Following the operations targeting İBB on 19 March, the Republican People's Party called on citizens to gather in city squares across the country under the slogan "The nation stands by its will." Including Istanbul's districts, the 41st rally in approximately four months is being held in Aksaray. It is also the 15th provincial rally.

CHP Youth Branches participated in the rally by marching. "Freedom for İmamoğlu" and Özgür Özel banners were hung in the city square. A banner reading "We will not forget" featuring a photo of Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek was also on display.

CHP Osmaniye MP Asu Kaya, CHP Youth Branches Chair Cem Aydın, and Taşpınar Mayor İsmail Yılmaz also attended the rally.