Özgür Özel claims Erdoğan-Fahrettin Altun crisis: Explains why he was suddenly dismissed

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made remarkable statements during the “Public Meeting” program held in Adıyaman regarding the tension he claims occurred between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and former Communications Director Fahrettin Altun. 

Özel stated that Erdoğan was furious with Altun and criticized him severely because the public did not believe in the March 19 operations.

“YOU HAVE TRT, YOU HAVE THE AGENCY, BUT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT BELIEVE”

In his speech, Özel claimed that Erdoğan addressed Altun with the following words, saying, “You have all the state's communication apparatus at your disposal, but the public believes us, not you.”

“You have TRT, you have the Anadolu Agency, you have all the newspapers. But the public says the March 19 operation was a coup. 25 percent believe me, 75 percent believe Özgür Özel. You couldn't handle one bus, one microphone, and 2.5 channels!”

Speaking about the power struggle that began following Fahrettin Altun's dismissal, Özgür Özel alleged that the head of RTÜK had made various behind-the-scenes attempts to replace Altun. Özel remarked, “The head of RTÜK dug so many pits and turned so many somersaults; all of Ankara knows it.”

“THE CAULDRON IS BOILING AT TRT AND AA”

Özel stated that due to the failure in the media, Erdoğan is questioning not only Altun but also the institutional structures, saying, “TRT will change, Anadolu Agency will change. They are stirring each other up like a witch's cauldron; everyone is digging each other's graves.”

In his speech, the CHP leader also touched upon Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, emphasizing the internal conflicts within the ruling front by saying, “On one side, there is a leader who is planning Turkey's future, even if he is under pressure. On the other side, there is a disintegrated, exhausted AK Party government trying to trip each other up.”üyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu’na da değinerek, “Bir yanda tutsak da olsa Türkiye’nin geleceğini planlayan bir lider var. Diğer yanda ise birbirinin ayağını kaydırmaya çalışan, dağılmış, tükenmiş bir AK Parti iktidarı” diyerek iktidar cephesindeki iç çekişmelere vurgu yaptı.