Erdoğan's response to Özgür Özel on the 'market' challenge: 'We have a principle'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel recently met with market vendors and citizens in Istanbul to listen to their economic concerns and called for an early election. Directing sharp criticism at President Erdoğan, Özel stated, "Erdoğan used to ask if you could go to the market; now I am asking: Can Erdoğan go to the market? Can he ask how people are doing?" Özel, noting that Erdoğan cannot go out into the streets, said, "If you cannot come to the market, then you must go to an election."

"IF HE HAS THE COURAGE..."

Reiterating his call for an early election at his party's group meeting, Özel shared that a citizen had told him, "Tayyip Bey, who has been governing the country for 22 years, cannot come to this market." Addressing Erdoğan, he said, "If he has the courage, I would like to take him to the market places. If he cannot go to the street, he will go to the ballot box, to an early election."

ERDOĞAN'S RESPONSE TO ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's call to visit a market while answering journalists' questions upon his return from Brazil.

Erdoğan stated the following:

Do opposition municipalities have a struggle against corruption, poverty, and bans for us to question? If they were sufficient, we would not be discussing these issues today. Many opposition municipalities have not even taken a step in these matters. Those who have taken steps are insufficient in producing permanent and effective solutions to the problems. Dealing with deep-rooted problems like corruption, poverty, and bans requires more determination and courage. It is also debatable whether these municipalities possess a serious vision. It is unthinkable for those who cannot produce realistic and concrete projects to deal with these problems. They do not have such an intention, horizon, or desire anyway. Our nation sees what they are chasing. They need to understand this. Municipalities belong to the nation and are obligated to serve them properly. We have had a principle regarding corruption, poverty, and bans to this day. This existed yesterday, it exists today, and it will exist tomorrow. But now he is saying such things; for example, a Chairman went to a market. He says, 'Can the President come to the market with me?' Mr. Chairman, I do not have time to go around with you. We are already visiting those places ourselves and with our relevant colleagues. Do not worry at all, we are there. We do not leave markets or bazaars unattended.