Ümit Özdağ's reaction: 'You are setting the barons free'
Speaking about the drug investigation that has captured public attention, Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ stated, "Now they are trying to create the impression that they are fighting drugs by detaining a few famous drug users. Be sure of this: Yes, it is good that they are being detained; it shows that using drugs is a crime. But on the other hand, if you are setting the street dealers and the barons free through execution laws, it means a real anti-drug program is not being carried out."
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Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ made assessments regarding the current agenda to members of the press during his visit to his party's Pendik District Headquarters. The economy, the fight against drugs, and the election process stood out in Özdağ's statements.
CUSTOMS TAX REGULATION ON THE AGENDA
Stating that the customs regulations that have recently come into effect have caused serious discomfort in society, Özdağ drew attention to the reactions coming especially from young people. Recalling the practices of past years regarding the subject, Özdağ explained the effects of the regulation with the words: "You know, a regulation was made in 2009. Citizens could bring goods worth up to 1,500 dollars into the country duty-free, provided they were not for commercial activities. This was reduced to 150 dollars in 2022 and then to 30 dollars in 2024. Now this 30 dollars has also been canceled. No matter what they bring, they will pay a 60 percent tax. There is a justified, major reaction from the youth against this."
CRITICISM OF THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS
Conveying his party's approach to drug addiction, Özdağ argued that some of the operations carried out recently have created a misleading perception in the public eye. Özdağ stated, "Now they are trying to create the impression that they are fighting drugs by detaining a few famous drug users. Be sure of this: Yes, it is good that they are being detained; it shows that using drugs is a crime. But on the other hand, if you are setting the street dealers and the barons free through execution laws, it means a real anti-drug program is not being carried out. As the Victory Party, we promise you that we are preparing to carry out the largest organized crime, drug, and virtual gambling operations the history of the Republic has ever seen."
ELECTIONS AND FIELD WORK
Making assessments regarding the election calendar, Özdağ stated that there is no clarity regarding the date, but despite this, they are carrying out intensive field work. Özdağ concluded his words by saying, "There is an election ahead of us. There are those who state that this election will be in November 2027, but there are also those who think it will have to take place in 2026 due to the imposition of an economic crisis. We do not know when the elections will be, and we do not think anyone else knows either, but as the Victory Party, we are working in the field with all our staff as if the elections were going to be tomorrow. I am traveling from district to district in Istanbul. My deputy chairmen are also currently working in the field in the 28 provinces that elect the most members of parliament. We are explaining our solution proposals to the Turkish nation. We are also listening to the demands, requests, and reactions of the Turkish nation and struggling to carry them into politics."