Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: They have built a model that punishes the worker

Here are some highlights from the speech delivered by CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) group meeting:

"Food prices in Turkey have risen by 70 percent. During this period, inflation reached 65.5 percent. They say, 'Don't plant sugar beets, we can just buy sugar from abroad anyway.'

For the first time in 34 years, Turkey has become dependent on sugar imports. When the high cost of living affects every household, it also affects students. For 21 years, they have been unable to solve the housing problem for students.

How are families supposed to support their children attending university? Students who protest food prices at universities are being pitted against our police officers."

"RETIREES CANNOT MAKE ENDS MEET"

"You can only buy 20 simits with our largest banknote. In the end, they said, 'We will give 5 thousand liras,' but they won't give it to working retirees, only to those who are not working. They have built a model that punishes the worker.

In Europe, retirees spend their summer vacations in different parts of the world; our retirees do not have such an opportunity. They said, 'We are going to the moon,' but we can't even go to the grocery store. This is the point we have reached.

Weapons are firing in the Middle East. Today, 138 states in the world recognize Palestine as a state. Seeking justice is one thing. 2 to 2.5 million people in Gaza are living under very difficult conditions."

Atatürk always said: Have good relations with all states, but do not interfere in their internal affairs

"The world has remained silent on this issue. No just cause justifies the killing of civilians. It cannot justify the killing of children, the elderly, or women. It casts a shadow over that struggle.

This issue must be resolved without killing children and civilians. Atatürk always said: "Have good relations with all states, but do not interfere in their internal affairs. Now we are trying to make peace with Egypt. Why did Turkey reach this state?"

Now they are going to bring a motion before us. Of course, we say 'yes' to every authority regarding the fight against terrorism; but there is something I do not understand. The motion states that 'Foreign soldiers may be invited to Turkey when necessary.'

My first question is to Devlet Bahçeli. The name of your party is the Nationalist Movement Party. Bahçeli, do you say 'yes' or 'no' to these foreign soldiers' boots trampling on Turkish soil? It is that clear!

Second question: Who are these foreign soldiers? Which military will you invite to Turkey for the fight against terrorism? If you say 'I am a nationalist,' you too must say 'no.'

Do you say 'yes' or 'no' to foreign soldiers' boots trampling on Turkish soil? You say you are a nationalist; this brother of yours is also a nationalist; we never, ever want a foreign soldier to come to Turkey."

WHO ARE THESE FOREIGN SOLDIERS?

"The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) conducted the fight against terrorism, and not a single foreign soldier came. Who are these foreign soldiers? Our helicopter is shot down, we hear it from foreigners. Our SİHA (UAV) is shot down, we hear that from foreigners too. If you say you are a nationalist, you too must say no.

Our soldiers were hit in Syria, weren't they? Where did you rush to, Erdoğan? To Putin's door. Not only were 33 of our soldiers martyred, but they also made you wait at the door for the whole world to watch. You don't even know the first letter of nationalism. You cannot question the nationalism of the party founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. You are not nationalists or anything of the sort.

I said this parliament is a parliament that just raises and lowers its hands. A member of parliament should question a legislative proposal. 'Gazi' (Veteran) is what you call a person who is wounded while fighting for their homeland. When this parliament was being established, the national war of independence was being waged, and the title of 'veteran' was given to the parliament. Is this parliament that same parliament? If they are saying 'let foreign soldiers come to Turkey,' then what will you call this parliament?"