Workers in Ankara took to the streets for the right to the budget: A clear message from Özgür Özel! 'The one-man rule will lose'

Tandoğan Square in Ankara hosted a rally where workers and retirees gathered for the right to the budget. Organized under the umbrella of the Citizens' Union with the support of more than 70 democratic mass organizations, confederations, unions, and political parties, the rally saw participants demanding their rights.

Groups gathered in front of the Atatürk Cultural Center metro station before the rally and marched to the square while chanting slogans. The event featured speeches and was supported by messages from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, as well as DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan.

Şenal Sarıhan, President of the 29 October Women's Association, drew attention to the deepening poverty, saying, "Our bread has shrunk, and our children are chasing scholarships." Cengiz Yavuz, Chairman of DİSK Emekli-Sen, stated, "We are facing a government that has made the markets and bazaars unaffordable for us."

Cuma Erçe, Chairman of the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association, noted that the budget is an ideological choice, stating, "Those who cannot govern the country are making their choice in favor of capital." Nebiye Merttürk, Chairwoman of Halkevleri, emphasized the importance of organizing, saying, "The palace's lights must go out so that our tables can be illuminated."

In his closing speech at the rally, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel said, "The right to the budget is humanity's most important achievement. The one-man rule will lose, and the citizens will get their rights." Özel also reiterated their proposal for a minimum wage of 39 thousand liras.

The rally drew attention as a platform where participants voiced their demands and defended their rights.