“Turkey must wake up from this nightmare,” Turkey’s main opposition leader Özgür Özel declared in parliament on Tuesday during the Republican People’s Party (CHP) group meeting in Ankara, calling out the government for eroding democratic norms, targeting opposition figures, and fuelling internal divisions while failing to pursue peace or economic justice.
In a sweeping speech, Özel accused President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his far-right ally, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, of sabotaging Turkey’s domestic peace and economic future for political gain.
Özel said that instead of reinforcing the country’s democratic foundations, the government had “threatened the founding party of this country” by targeting CHP mayors, officials, and their families through politically motivated investigations. “If strengthening the domestic front means convincing a terrorist organisation to lay down arms, then let’s do it together. But persecuting CHP mayors and their children will not bring peace,” he said.
Marking 90 days since the controversial 19 March detentions of CHP-affiliated officials in what he described as a “coup”, Özel condemned the treatment of detainees as inhumane and politically driven. “Held in isolation, denied family visits, dragged out at dawn, and pressured with slander—this is not justice. This is political hostage-taking,” he said, vowing that his party “will not remain silent”.
He accused the government of weaponising the judiciary and security forces to silence opposition voices. “While Erdoğan says we must strengthen the domestic front and avoid conflict, he allows this tyranny to go on,” he declared.
At the heart of his speech was a plea to both President Erdoğan and his far-right ally Bahçeli to stop using the Kurdish question for political gain and instead pursue a return to peace negotiations. “If strengthening the domestic front means convincing a terrorist organisation, which has been weakened in recent years after 50 years of conflict, to lay down arms and taking positive steps from now on—then let’s do it together,” Özel said.
Özel also questioned the government’s stance on Palestine, saying Erdoğan’s response to Israeli attacks and former US President Donald Trump’s comments on Gaza amounted to silence in the face of genocide. “Trump lays out a plan for casinos on Palestinian land. Erdoğan says nothing. What are you trading for this silence?” Özel asked.
Turning to the economy, Özel highlighted the plight of public workers awaiting pay adjustments. “They waited six months for a fair offer, and got a mockery instead—16%. This is not an offer, it’s an insult,” he said, referring to wage negotiations that affect 600,000 workers. He called on all unions— the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), the Confederation of Turkish Real Trade Unions (HAK-İŞ), and others—to take to the streets and demand justice.
“On one side are those denied their rights, on the other are those denying them. It’s time to stand together,” he said, urging workers from all political backgrounds to unite in what he called “a matter of honour”.
Özel concluded with a direct message to Erdoğan: “Either you come to your senses, or we will bring you to them,” pledging mass mobilisation through rallies and protests.
He also dismissed Erdoğan’s economic promises as empty rhetoric. “He sold 2023 as a miracle year. Inflation hit 68%. Now he says 2026 will bring prosperity. Only if it’s an election year,” Özel quipped.
