Harsh Reaction from President Erdoğan to CHP: “Özgür Özel owes an apology to the nation”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements on the agenda at the Expanded Provincial Chairs Meeting of his party. In his speech, Erdoğan made harsh criticisms against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and said, “They seated a person who insulted the will of the nation as the guest of honor in Izmir. That photo did not suit Turkish democracy at all. It cast a shadow on the institution of politics. We are of the opinion that this stain must be cleaned quickly. We believe that Özgür Özel owes an apology to the nation.”
AK Party’s 23rd Anniversary and Highlights of the Past
President Erdoğan reminded that the AK Party celebrated its 23rd anniversary with great enthusiasm on August 14. Stating that the AK Party, which has “its roots in the past and its eyes in the future”, has carried its flag with glory, Erdoğan commemorated all the laborers in the party with gratitude in this process. Erdoğan said, “We continue to serve our nation with the same enthusiasm we had 23 years ago and with the same determination today. We embrace all our citizens without any discrimination. You know very well the difficulties we have experienced until today.”
Tackling Challenges and Responding to Attacks
Erdoğan stated that the AK Party has faced many attacks and obstacles in its 23-year history. He stated that they experienced many difficulties from terrorist acts to coups, from street incidents to media campaigns. Erdoğan said, “There were attempts to sow seeds of discord within our party. Various obstacles were created to slow us down. We stood firm against all attacks from inside and outside, and with the help of our nation, we repelled these traps.”
Erdoğan emphasized that they have taken Turkey to levels incomparable to what it was 23 years ago. He stated that they made great progress in the economy, health, transportation and other fields and put many investments into the service of the people throughout the country.
State of the Opposition and Criticism
President Erdoğan criticized the current state of the opposition and said, “Environmental pollution and other problems are increasing in the cities they govern. Fish cannot breathe in the Gulf of Izmir due to pollution.” Erdoğan said that every day a new one is added to the opposition’s nepotism scandals, and that their incompetence has exhausted the patience of their own base.
Erdoğan complained about the opposition’s lack of services to the nation and internal conflicts. “The opposition prioritizes their own interests and political careers and is not interested in the needs of the people,” he said. He also stated that it is unacceptable to honor those who insulted the nation, despite their rhetoric that “we have changed, we have normalized”.
Criticisms against Özgür Özel and the Republican People’s Party
President Erdoğan criticized CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, stating that the person who was hosted as the guest of honor in Izmir on August 30 is someone who insults the nation. Erdoğan stated that such behavior casts a shadow on Turkish democracy and the institution of politics. He emphasized that the CHP rewarded past insults and that this contradicts the demands for change.
Erdoğan said that this attitude of the CHP does not befit Turkish politics and that this shadow should be removed as soon as possible. Stating that they believe Özgür Özel owes an apology to the nation, Erdoğan said, “The nation looks at what you do, not what you say.”
