Early election call from Ümit Özdağ: 'Let the nation decide at the ballot box'

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ criticized Turkey's economic situation at the "Justice for Retirees, Economic Security for Widows and Orphans Workshop" organized by his party, stating that the economic crisis has now turned into a "depression."

Touching upon the large number of retirees, widows, and orphans in Turkey, Özdağ said that the economic picture is worsening day by day. Özdağ stated, "If 80 percent of society has been losing income for eight years, this is not a crisis, it is an economic depression. This depression is dragging not only the low-income earners but also industrialists and farmers toward collapse."

"ONLY A SMALL CIRCLE IS PROFITING"

Drawing attention to the injustices in income distribution, Özdağ also harshly criticized the currency-protected deposit scheme. Emphasizing that large segments of the population are struggling to make ends meet, Özdağ also addressed the problems in the agricultural sector. "Fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, hay... Everything is imported. The Turkish farmer is in debt. Production has come to an end. Despite this, it is unacceptable for some bureaucrats to import meat from abroad and boast about it," he said.

"IF A COUNTRY HAS 13 MILLION EXCESS POPULATION..."

Addressing the refugee issue, one of the topics most frequently brought to the agenda by the Zafer Party, Özdağ stated that Turkey is facing an excess population of 13 million and emphasized its effects on the economy. "It was impossible for rents, housing prices, and food costs not to rise in a country with 13 million excess people," said Özdağ, adding that the fact that millions of refugees benefit from free healthcare services also comes out of the pockets of the Turkish nation.

"WHY DOES THE LONGEVITY OF RETIREES BOTHER YOU?"

Özdağ also reacted to statements made by some bureaucrats regarding retirees. Expressing his criticism, Özdağ said, "The bureaucrat who complains that retirees live too long is still in office. What are you planning to do, shorten the lives of retirees?"

The Zafer Party Chairman also announced his party's projects for retirees. Özdağ made the following promises to increase the welfare level of retirees:

Increasing the pension replacement rate back to 70%,

Applying the welfare share at 100% as in the old system,

Regulations to secure the basic living expenses of retirees,

Expanding models that generate resources similar to OYAK.

Özdağ stated, "A retiree who has served the state by working a lifetime deserves a peaceful life. We will distribute wealth in favor of the Turkish nation."

"EARLY ELECTION IS INEVITABLE"

At the end of his speech, Özdağ made a harsh call to the government and reiterated his demand for an early election. "The Turkish nation has become unable to fill its shopping bags at the market. Despite this, it is a nation that maintains its loyalty to its state. Let's hold an early general election. Let the nation show at the ballot box whether it approves of the meetings you are holding with Öcalan," he said.