YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel reacts to pension issues: We are on the verge of a social explosion

YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel answered questions from journalists in Ankara.

In his response to a question regarding retired police officer Ali Şekeroğlu, who took his own life during a protest by retirees in front of the Constitutional Court, Özel stated that serious anger has been building up among retirees for a long time.

Özel stated that they had previously drawn attention to the situation retirees are in, noting that this reaction was visible on the ground during rallies before the local elections and in meetings held after March 19.

“It is devastating. We do not want to say ‘we told you so,’ but I have been saying for a long time that ‘a great anger is building up among retirees.’ That ‘we are on the verge of a social explosion.’”

Expressing deep sadness over the incident in front of the Constitutional Court, Özel said, “I offer my condolences to all retirees and to his family. Now, those who govern this country must look into this matter. Enough is enough.”

Calling on the government to address the demands of retirees, Özel recalled the images of cash registers thrown in front of the Prime Ministry in the past. Stating that today retirees are seeking their rights due to demands for a flat-rate salary increase, Özel argued that the pro-government media did not bring the events to the agenda sufficiently.

Stating that pension payments remain below the hunger threshold, Özel said that the lowest pension is at the level of 23 thousand liras, and the average pension is at the level of 26-27 thousand liras. Özel stated, “Either they bring the ballot box as soon as possible and retirees get rid of this government, or they save the retirees from this misery.”

News Source: 12punto