Özgür Özel writes for Financial Times ahead of NATO summit: 'Erdoğan is not as popular as he used to be'
The AKP's 33rd Consultation and Evaluation Meeting was held in Sapanca for the first time this year. During the meeting, the most frequently raised topics by deputies and Central Executive Board (MKYK) members were the economy and pension salaries, with numerous questions directed at Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek. Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu was the focus of demands regarding infrastructure investments.
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Ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8, Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel wrote an article for the UK-based Financial Times newspaper, in which he shared his assessments regarding Turkey's domestic politics, economy, and foreign policy.
In the author introduction section of the article, the newspaper introduced Özgür Özel as "the chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Turkey's main opposition party."
CLAIM THAT "ERDOĞAN WILL TURN THE SUMMIT INTO A SHOW OF STRENGTH"
In the article, Özel argued that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would use the NATO Summit as an international show of strength, and claimed that this image masks various problems within Turkey.
Özel asserted that the government is trying to hide the country's realities from the international public, stating that peaceful protesters, as well as lawyers, journalists, and academics, have been detained.
He said that this situation poses a risk not only for Turkey but also for NATO allies, especially those in Europe.
"STRATEGIC POWER MASKS A DARKER REALITY"
Stating that Turkey's strategic importance is indisputable due to its location on the Black Sea, its borders with Syria, Iraq, and Iran, its position in regions critical to European security, and its possession of one of the largest armies in NATO, Özel expressed that there is a different picture regarding the country's internal dynamics.
Drawing attention to economic difficulties, Özel noted that debates regarding official inflation data continue, stating that inflation is hovering above 30 percent, consumer confidence is weak, and millions of people feel poorer, less secure, and more hopeless compared to previous years.
Özel also stated that Turkey has the largest prison population in Europe, arguing that this is an indicator of how the state is governed.
"ERDOĞAN IS NO LONGER AS POPULAR AS HE USED TO BE"
Touching upon the 2024 local elections in the article, the CHP Chairman stated that the AK Party suffered a significant loss of votes in the elections, while the CHP rose to become the country's strongest political party in local government.
Özel stated that this result was achieved through a political approach that centers on the problems of retirees, university graduates, low-income families, and citizens experiencing economic difficulties, adding that they reached both CHP voters and those who had previously voted for the AK Party.
Özel argued that, in response, President Erdoğan is using the resources of the state and the judiciary instead of democratic competition.
EMPHASIS ON İMAMOĞLU AND THE CHP CONGRESS
Özgür Özel also touched upon the processes being carried out against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Referring to the investigations into the IMM and espionage files, Özel stated that the CHP congress was also canceled by a court decision, and claimed that he was removed from his position as chairman and replaced by the former chairman who had previously run against President Erdoğan in elections.
"HE IS TRYING TO CREATE AN OPPOSITION LOYAL TO HIMSELF"
Arguing that President Erdoğan aims to create an opposition loyal to himself, Özel claimed that this is an opposition model that participates in elections but does not threaten the government.
Adding the examples of Russia and Belarus to this assessment, the CHP leader stated that a Turkey without democratic competition and the rule of law cannot be a predictable and reliable partner.
Özel also argued that foreign policy could become a tool to ensure the continuation of the government in domestic politics, asserting that Turkey's national interests should not be placed behind the political future of a single person.
"RISK OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL TURMOIL MAY INCREASE"
Stating that citizens losing their belief that change is possible through elections will lead to hopelessness and anger, Özel expressed that if this is combined with economic difficulties and poverty, it will increase the risk of social and political turmoil.
Özel stated that such a process would not be limited to Turkey alone; it could also have effects on European security, critical energy pipelines, the Middle East, and NATO's southern flank.
"THE TURKISH PEOPLE WILL DECIDE TURKEY'S FUTURE"
Emphasizing in the final part of his article that Turkey's allies do not have the task of determining the country's political future, Özel stated that democrats in Turkey do not request foreign intervention.
Stating that attempts to reshape societies through foreign intervention have produced different results in the past, Özel said that change in Turkey can only happen through the will of the people.
Stating that citizens go to the polls despite pressure, participate in marches, and express their demand for change through democratic means, Özel concluded his article with his assessment regarding the NATO Summit.
While Özel argued that President Erdoğan will present himself as an indispensable leader at the summit, he maintained that no country's strategic importance increases with the weakening of its democracy.