02.07.2026 11:20
Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Commission, Fuat Oktay, described Özgür Özel's article published in the Financial Times as "a new manifestation of the classic longing for guardianship." Oktay argued that Özel portrayed Turkey as a threat to its allies ahead of the NATO Summit and stated, "This mindset is nothing but a search for external support against the will of the nation. Our nation's common sense strongly rejects this guardianship mentality, as it always has."
Former Vice President of the 1st Term, Chair of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, and AK Party Ankara Deputy Fuat Oktay reacted to an article published by Özgür Özel in the British newspaper Financial Times, with a statement on his social media account.
In his post, Oktay stated, "CHP Deputy Mr. Özgür Özel's article in a foreign newspaper is unfortunately a new manifestation of the classic yearning for guardianship."
"NOTHING BUT A SEEKING OF EXTERNAL SUPPORT"
Drawing attention to the timing of Özel's article, published ahead of the NATO Summit, Oktay made the following assessment: "Labeling our President, who came to power through elections and the will of our noble nation, as a 'regime,' and presenting Turkey as a threat to our allies before the NATO meeting in Ankara—this mindset is nothing but a search for external support against the will of the nation."
"OUR COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE ON ITS PATH WITH ITS OWN WILL"
Oktay concluded his post with these words: "Our nation's common sense firmly rejects this paternalistic understanding, as always. Our country will continue on its path confidently with its own will."
WHAT DID ÖZGÜR ÖZEL WRITE IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES?
Özgür Özel, who was removed from the CHP Chairmanship by a final annulment decision, wrote an article in the Financial Times ahead of the expected NATO Summit in Ankara, titled "Erdoğan’s assault on democracy poses threat to Turkey’s allies." In his article, Özel argued that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's crackdown on the opposition could affect not only Turkey's democracy but also NATO allies and regional stability.
Claiming that democratic competition in Turkey is being weakened through operations against opposition municipalities, the economic crisis, and judicial processes, Özel expressed that during the NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, President Erdoğan would try to project an image of a "strong leader" to the international public, but this should not conceal the country's democratic backsliding.
In his article, Özel alleged that peaceful protesters, as well as lawyers, journalists, and academics, are being targeted, and stated that this is not just Turkey's internal issue but could also have consequences for its NATO allies in Europe.
"DEMOCRATIC COMPETITION WEAKENED"
Also touching on Turkey's strategic importance within NATO, the CHP leader argued that while the country controls access to the Black Sea, borders the Middle East, and is indispensable for the alliance with its strong army and growing defense industry, this strategic position should not cover up Turkey's economic and democratic problems.
Furthermore, Özel claimed that pressure on the opposition has increased after the 2024 local elections, citing the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and the judicial processes against numerous CHP mayors as evidence that democratic competition has been weakened.
Emphasizing that they do not ask Turkey's allies to determine the country's political future, Özel stated, "Turkey’s democrats do not want democracy to be imported from abroad. That task belongs to the people of Turkey," asserting that democratic change can only occur through the people's will.