Statement from Özgür Özel on forest fires: 'The 160 billion dollars that could have bought 3,000 planes was spent on the March 19 coup'

News of forest fires is coming from all four corners of Turkey, especially from Bursa and Karabük. Due to the insufficiency of aerial interventions and the effect of the wind, the flames spread over a wide area, virtually turning the forests into ash.

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel made a remarkable statement regarding the fires.

Sharing on his X account, Özel drew attention to the insufficiency in the number of personnel at the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), the lack of necessary equipment, and the OGM's budget.

?"While there was an appropriation of 32.5 billion liras in the 'protection of forests' program in the General Directorate of Forestry's 2025 budget, only 12.5 billion liras, meaning only 38% of the appropriation, was allowed to be used in the first 6 months." said Özel, adding, "This situation is the result of the government's economic choices."

"OUR WEALTH THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO BUY 3,000 PLANES WAS SPENT ON THE MARCH 19 COUP"

While the inadequacy of aerial intervention in the fires caused reactions in public opinion, CHP leader Özel also revealed striking data regarding firefighting planes.

Recalling the 160 billion dollar cost of March 19, the day IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained, Özel stated, "The resource used for our forests in the first 6 months is only 1% of the resource the public allocated for interest payments. Our 160 billion dollar wealth, which would be enough to buy 3,000 of the world's best firefighting planes, was spent to carry out the March 19 Coup."

In the continuation of his statement, Özel said, "You cannot become a great state with mere words. A great state, a powerful state, is a state that keeps its nation safe. It is a state where risk management against disasters is carried out."

The entirety of Özel's post is as follows:

"Our forests are burning all over our country, our hearts are burning.

Forest fires can of course occur in every country. However, the duty of governments is to carry out prevention, effective intervention, and post-fire recovery efforts.

For this, especially in a period when the effects of climate change are peaking, the facilities and capabilities of the General Directorate of Forestry must be at a sufficient level.

However, unfortunately, the number of personnel at the General Directorate of Forestry has not only failed to increase after 2022, but has decreased by approximately 2,300, and 29,000 positions are vacant. The institution's budget and its tools and equipment, including firefighting planes, are insufficient. The equipment of forest workers trying to intervene in the fire in short-sleeved t-shirts is inadequate.

While there was an appropriation of 32.5 billion liras in the 'protection of forests' program in the General Directorate of Forestry's 2025 budget, only 12.5 billion liras, meaning only 38% of the appropriation, was allowed to be used in the first 6 months.

This situation is the result of the government's economic choices. The resource used for our forests in the first 6 months is only 1% of the resource the public allocated for interest payments. Our 160 billion dollar wealth, which would be enough to buy 3,000 of the world's best firefighting planes, was spent to carry out the March 19 Coup.

The state governed by this administration cannot keep our nation or our forests safe. Because the government does not feel responsible to the citizens. In every crisis we experience, in every disaster, as if the government seat were empty, the nation is forced to protect itself.

The state governed by this administration leaves the nation among the flames in a fire and under the rubble in an earthquake. When the nation seeks its rights, the state stands against the nation. The crisis we are experiencing is a crisis of statelessness that does not stand by the nation.

You cannot become a great state with mere words. A great state, a powerful state, is a state that keeps its nation safe. It is a state where risk management against disasters is carried out.

Although they are not the primary responsible party, all our municipalities are by the side of our citizens with all their personnel. Our preparation to overcome these crises is complete, and today we have the will to take on every responsibility.

I wish God's mercy upon our fire martyrs, healing to our wounded, and strength to all our personnel fighting the fires. I hope that these bad days will be left behind as soon as possible."