Özgür Özel speaks in Antalya: 'We met with Ms. Meral in the pensioners' alliance'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended a Public Meeting in Antalya.

COMMEMORATED ÇANAKKALE

Addressing citizens in Gazipaşa, Özgür Özel stated, "We are in the 109th year of the Çanakkale Naval Victory. Once again, I commemorate with mercy and gratitude, first and foremost Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and our martyrs who have given their lives for the freedom of our flag from that day to this."

"WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ANTALYA?"

Saying "Antalya is the stepchild of this government," Özel said the following:

"In 2023, the Justice and Development Party collected 73.6 billion in taxes. This place produced 3.3 percent of all national income in Turkey. Of the 55 billion dollars in tourism here, 25 was generated here. What has been given to Antalya? 7.1 billion... In other words, they took 10 and gave 1 to Antalya. They have eaten Antalya's share! We will not allow Antalya to be a stepchild."

"THEY FED PENSIONERS TO THE INFLATION MONSTER"

Touching upon the problems experienced by pensioners, Özel said, "If Tayyip Bey had not interfered with you at all, 1.5 minimum wages would have reached 26 thousand liras today. But unfortunately, by saying they would not let you be crushed by inflation every year, they fed you to the inflation monster."

Saying "He increased the 7 thousand 500 lira pension to 10 thousand liras. There is a simple calculation, please let us explain it to the pensioners," Özel explained the following:

"When the Justice and Development Party first came to power, the lowest pension could buy exactly 8 quarter gold coins. Today, go and see, 10 thousand liras buys 2.5 quarter gold coins. What is the loss? 5.5 quarter gold coins... Every pensioner is losing not once, but every month, not 1 quarter gold coin, but 5.5 quarter gold coins. Where are they losing this? Pensioners lost 5.5 quarter gold coins a month in a ballot box. Something is found where it is lost. We will find the 5.5 quarter gold coins at the ballot box on March 31."

APPLAUDED KILIÇDAROĞLU

Using the phrase "Thanks to whom do we receive the pension bonus," Özel said, "Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu... Let us send an applause to our Chairman."

Özel explained the following:

"The year was 2015, our Chairman said, 'Two holiday bonuses for pensioners.' It won't happen, it cannot be given! On June 7, pensioners went to the ballot box, they lost the majority. As we were heading towards the November 1 elections, they said we will give it too. They turned a deaf ear for 3 years until 2018. When the election came, this time they gave one thousand liras. Today he will give 3 thousand liras, they had said 5, they dropped to 3."

"I WILL FIGHT FOR THE NATION'S DEMANDS"

Stating that President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to fight with him, Özel expressed the following:

"He constantly raises prices, prices, prices; and then turns around and wants to fight by saying DEM, DEM, DEM. I will not fight with you on these issues. But if you really want to fight, fine... I will fight the fight of the pensioner, the villager, the worker, the civil servant, and the youth. I will fight for the demands of the nation, not what you want."

LOCAL ELECTION CALL

Making a call for the March 31 local elections, Özel stated, "Let's go to the ballot box at full strength. Let's go to the ballot box together with those who voted for other parties in the past. In these elections, I expect more than 1 out of every 2 votes in Gazipaşa, more than 60 percent, I expect a record vote from you."

Özel also asked for votes for Gazipaşa Mayor Mehmet Ali Yılmaz and Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek.

AKŞENER STATEMENT

Özel also said in his speech in Antalya Gazipaşa, "We could not form a political alliance with Ms. Meral in Ankara, but we met in the pensioners' alliance."