Özgür Özel's response to Erdoğan: 'He is experiencing burnout syndrome'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, while attending the Taha Akgül Karakucak Wrestling event in Ankara, answered questions from the press. Responding to President Erdoğan's criticism of the opposition and Ahmet Şık, "A handful of marginals are dragging the opposition parties along behind them" Özel criticized Erdoğan in harsh terms.

Özgür Özel stated, "It is an absurd criticism coming from someone who has dragged his entire party behind a handful of FETÖ members. He has dragged the entire state behind a handful of various sects and cults. Someone who for years patted the backs of those who would lead to the treacherous July 15 coup attempt, paved their way, cleared their path, and gave them whatever they wanted is now accusing us of following someone else." he said.

'AHMET ŞIK'S WORDS WERE HARSH, ALPAY ÖZALAN DOES NOT BEFIT TURKEY'

Özgür Özel also mentioned his meeting with Ahmet Şık, stating, "I spoke with Mr. Ahmet Şık and told him that his tone was inappropriate. He crossed his boundaries, but let him look back and see what the organism called Alpay Özalan has done; he attacks the podium and initiates the incidents. Ahmet Şık's words were harsh; his language did not befit the Parliament. Alpay Özalan does not befit Turkey." he stated.

Özel described Erdoğan's criticisms on this matter as "burnout syndrome" and added, "I attribute the fact that someone who needs to engage in self-criticism is attempting to criticize others to burnout syndrome" he said.

REACTION TO ERDOĞAN'S STATEMENTS ON POVERTY

Responding to President Erdoğan's "Those old days of bans, oppression, scarcity, and poverty have been left completely behind, never to return" remarks, Özel made the following statements regarding the actual situation of the citizens: 

"If he wants to see the poverty he claims to have ended, he should come to the Keçiören market. He should go to the day laborer market in Adana early in the morning. Or he should go to Gaziantep, where I went yesterday, and listen to a pistachio producer. Let him walk among the citizens; the nation is not living in luxury like those in the Palace." 

Özel also added, "There are people queuing up to buy yesterday's bread for less, and those collecting bruised fruits and vegetables at the market while trying to hide their faces. I leave it to the conscience of our nation whether those who admit to continuing bans and failing to end corruption—instead institutionalizing it—have ended poverty or not." he stated. 

WHAT DID ERDOĞAN SAY?

Speaking in Bitlis, AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the TBMM's AKP deputy Alpay Özalan's He had spoken for the first time about the Can Atalay session, which became a major topic of discussion after he attacked TİP deputy Ahmet Şık.

In his remarks, he referred to Ahmet Şık as "marginal" and "provocateur," and Erdoğan also targeted the opposition.

Erdoğan had used the following expressions:

"For years, they tried to lecture us on the environment, and now they are handing over Istanbul's environmental treasures to wealthy cronies. In just three months, they have turned municipalities into farms for their relatives and kin. Despite promises made in public squares, they have kicked thousands of municipal workers out the door. An elitism addicted to ostentation, enjoying life in Europe, has emerged. They have no agenda other than their own interests. They take authority from the nation and provide services to terrorists in prison. We have been monitoring who is shielding the marginal figure who engages in provocation in Parliament." If they could, they would have declared this provocateur, who insulted the nation from the parliamentary podium, a champion of democracy. The opposition lining up like puppets for this chorus is a sign of surrender. A handful of marginals have taken the opposition hostage and are playing them like a fiddle."