Özgür Özel spoke to the Financial Times! 'Erdogan wants an opposition like in Russia'

CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed the political operations taking place in Türkiye in a comprehensive interview with the Financial Times. During the meeting held at CHP headquarters, Özel stated that AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wants to move toward a "one-party system" and that the CHP is the biggest obstacle to this path.

"THEY ARE TRYING TO OBSTRUCT A STRUCTURE THAT COULD COME TO POWER"

Özel stated that an authoritarian management approach is strengthening in Türkiye and said:

The government is trying to prevent a structure that could come to power in the future. This is a clear intervention against the CHP, the founding party of the Republic of Turkey, which came first in the last election and is ahead in all polls. This is a coup attempt.

"WE CAN STOP LIFE"

Özgür Özel explained the actions the government could take if its repressive policies escalate:

"We can carry out peaceful yet effective acts of civil disobedience that will bring life in Türkiye to a standstill. We have the power to bring together not millions, but tens of millions," he said.

“IF ERDOĞAN CAN SET UP A GAME, WE CAN TOO”

Özgür Özel, also addressing objections to elections and referendums, said, "Lower courts have no authority to rule on such matters. This area falls under the jurisdiction of the higher courts. Therefore, as the CHP, we will not recognize these decisions," thus opening the door to potential legal proceedings.

Özel stated that past elections and the 2017 constitutional referendum could also be legally reviewed. The Supreme Election Council's decision to consider unstamped ballots valid in that referendum was also criticized by Council of Europe observers.

"If Erdoğan is playing a dirty game, we can play that game too. We can respond not with his method, but with a similar cunning," he said, drawing attention to the CHP's possible political strategies.

"CHP IS BOUND BY THE LAW"

Commenting on the judiciary, Özel said, "I don't think all judges in Türkiye are under Erdoğan's control. However, the current climate of oppression is undermining judicial independence. Despite this, the CHP will remain committed to the rule of law. Erdoğan may act unlawfully, but we will remain within the law," sending a message to judicial institutions.

"HE KNOWS HE CAN'T WIN"

Özel stated that AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has lost his electoral clout and is therefore striving to neutralize the opposition. "Erdoğan knows he can no longer win elections," he said. "He wants weak and dysfunctional opposition parties like those in Russia. But the CHP will not bow to this."

Source: Financial Times