CHP leader Özel's response to Erdoğan's thanks and 'Esenyurt': 'One person understood me, and they misunderstood'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel, in his speech at the Labor Organizations Meeting held in Ankara, leveled harsh criticism at the interview system applied in teacher appointments. Stating that this system must be ended immediately, Özel called for the strengthening of education and labor unions. Özel stated, "The interview system has become a scourge and must be resolved."

Highlights from Özel's speech:

"I have come to a meeting of a structure I was a part of in the past, and it is a great pleasure to be here. There are representatives of everyone whose labor is ignored and unseen. Our friends who want to produce solutions to all problems together with you are here."

THE ABOLITION OF INTERVIEWS

Reminding the audience of AKP President Erdoğan's promise to abolish interviews if he won the election, Özel said, "As you know, Mr. Erdoğan said on April 11, 2023, while announcing his election manifesto, that interviews would be abolished if he were re-elected. They won the election, but they did not keep their word. 1 million teachers voted believing the state's word. Then what happened? Immediately after the election, Yusuf Tekin continued with the interviews as if the pen that appointed him had changed, as if Erdoğan had no knowledge of it. Our friends also took these interviews. They played with all of their fates. They waited 66 days without publishing the lawsuit, but the system opened for 1 hour and 15 minutes in between. After 66 days, they announced the results and the scores, but they did not announce the rankings. We were faced with an unbelievable situation. And now, teachers and their families are very sad. The Minister of National Education remains in his position without shame or embarrassment. A 20-year-old teacher will be in a position to be appointed when they reach the age of 80. I present this to the attention of our labor bureaus," he said.

"IF NECESSARY, LET US ORGANIZE EVEN WHILE DYING"

Making statements regarding the rights of mine workers working in Soma, Özel said the following:

"Let's come to our own topic for today... Yesterday, we celebrated the 101st anniversary of the Republic with great enthusiasm. After the TUSAŞ attack last week, we said on Sunday at Beşiktaş square that we would not cower. Yesterday, I started walking from in front of the 1st Parliament, and millions joined our call. Our citizens expressed yesterday that they were not afraid and did not cower. I thank you for the magnificent images coming from all four corners.

Our party is a contemporary, democratic, left-wing party that embraces the struggle of labor. During the process in which 301 mine workers were lost in Soma, we saw how a union should and should not be. I am not sure if that union learned a lesson after that incident, but the workers did. Now, those barefoot workers were able to get their rights through the struggle of an independent union. If necessary, organize even while dying, because when you die one by one, nothing happens. When 301 people die at once, it becomes an agenda item, but then it is forgotten again. We are neither enemies of capital nor are we on the side of those who put up barriers to the organization of workers. We are with the worker against the exploitation of labor; we are on the side of those who work together and produce together for real development."

THE DETENTION OF AHMET ÖZER

Speaking about Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was detained this morning, Özgür Özel said, "Instead of asking the guard for the key, the state enters the public building by breaking down the door. Regarding issues that the public is curious about, prosecutor, it is your duty to inform the public. They remained silent for 6 months, and when the public became outraged, they closed the hospitals; a statement drops in the morning. They say PKK, they say Abdullah Öcalan, they say it has been under our surveillance for 10 years. Who are you trying to catch up with? Who gives the permission? The Chief Public Prosecutor. Who is the Chief Public Prosecutor? Akın Gürlek. Until yesterday, he was a deputy minister. What he is threatening is the unity and solidarity of this nation, democracy, and people's freedom of choice. Remove that pawn from there. We are following the process very closely regarding this matter. We will neither be a part of the dirty game being set up nor will we be a pawn in that game," he said.

RESPONSE TO ERDOĞAN'S THANKS

Responding to President Erdoğan's expression of thanks to him in his statement at the group meeting today, Özgür Özel said, "Mr. Erdoğan was at the podium today, I suppose after 14 days, with a 7-day delay, he evaluated and embraced Bahçeli's statements. What more will you hear from Erdoğan? While praising Bahçeli, he has signed under every word he said.

He also thanked me. Let me just say this much, as they sometimes say, "one person understood me, and they misunderstood..."

Millions understood, but you could not. Thanks are important, but equating an issue with the freedom of one person is a proposition that does not see the problem. I am pointing to the Parliament as the address. You, together with Bahçeli, are pointing to the Parliament as the address for Öcalan. If you make one person an actor and thank me, it shows that you will continue this Öcalan-focused situation. This is not democratic, nor is it right. I am in favor of a transparent, fair process where the Parliament is the center. I will not be rude; every thank you of mine has value. But this thanks is on the wrong ground," he said.