Newsletters
Türkiye's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Ozgur Ozel attended the Party of European Socialists (PES) leaders' preparatory meeting in Brussels on Thursday, where he directed sharp criticism at European officials for their approach to Türkiye.
Ozel was accompanied by a delegation including CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Boke, Deputy Chairman for Foreign Policy Namik Tan, Foreign Policy Coordinator Ilhan Uzgel, and Foreign Relations Coordinator Sule Bucak Erten.
Addressing European leaders, Ozel expressed frustration with European Council President Antonio Costa for not allocating time for a meeting.
"He is someone I personally admire, but it is not acceptable for him to only make an opening speech and leave on such an important agenda, without us finding even five minutes to meet with him head-to-head," Ozel said.
Ozel argued that while European leaders express support in the council, they act "extremely timid" at the executive level.
"This strengthens (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan's position in Türkiye," Ozel stated. "In Türkiye, Ekrem Imamoglu, a mayor elected three times in a row for a city of 16 million, is in prison."
CHP has been holding weekly rallies since March, following the arrest of former Istanbul mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu in a corruption probe. Punishment is sought for 142 different offenses against Imamoglu, with allegations including bribery, corruption, document forgery, and espionage.
Acknowledging Europe's security concerns, Ozel warned against seeking solutions with "local authoritarians." He specifically criticized the U.K. Labour Party for showing "solidarity with Erdogan beyond what Erdogan expected."
"Is there going to be a democratic Türkiye on the border of the EU, where social democrats are in power?" Ozel asked. "Or will you let your sister party be crushed by an authoritarian when it is so close to success, just to continue stable relations with him? Everyone must calculate this correctly."
Ozel concluded by reaffirming his party's stance on foreign policy, stating they support Ukraine just as much as they support Palestine.
Set as preferred source
4 min read
