13.01.2026 15:21
CHP leader Özgür Özel, recalling Bahçeli's words describing pensions as "misery" during the group meeting, called for pensions to be equalized with the minimum wage. Özel stated that they would support if the AK Party brought a proposal, making a call to Bahçeli and Erdoğan.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, recalling the "poverty" expression previously used by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli during his party's group meeting, called for the equalization of retirement salaries with the minimum wage.
REMINDING BAHÇELİ'S "POVERTY" WORDS
Özel recalled Bahçeli's words regarding retirement salaries, stating, "We cannot be comfortable while they are suffering. We should raise them to at least a level where they can live humanely, not to a poverty wage. We stand by our retirees until the end." Özel added, "Since Bahçeli also said 'Poverty', let's bring it to the Parliament, let's equalize the retirement salary with the minimum wage, and save both the honor of the Parliament and the retirees."
"IF AKP BRINGS A GOOD OFFER, WE WILL VOTE"
Özel called on Bahçeli and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding retirement salaries, saying, "If the AKP brings a good offer, we will raise both our hands and vote." Stating that "This Parliament is not the servant of the Palace," Özel requested that the regulation for equalizing retirement salaries with the minimum wage be brought to the Parliament.
"IF WE STAND TOGETHER ON THE RETIREES' ISSUE, A LOT WILL CHANGE"
Özel argued that while there may be divisions on different issues, a common stance should be taken on the retirees' issue. Özel continued his call with the words, "If we stand together on the retirees' issue, a lot will change in Turkey. Don't even greet those who do not see or hear you, let alone vote for them."
Highlighted lines from Özel's speech are as follows:
"REMOVE LEYLA USTA FROM OFFICE"
"(Regarding AK Party Group Deputy Chair Leyla Usta's words, 'You were silent while Muslims were dying in Syria, but you raise the alarm when Alevis die') Nonsensical remarks that do not consider Alevis as Muslims and legitimize the massacre in Syria. If you continue to keep this lady in office, this shameful statement will fall on all of them. It will primarily fall on Erdoğan. We have not raised our voices against the bloodshed of Muslims. Shame on you... We blocked the March 1 Memorandum. Erdoğan erased all AK Party deputies who voted 'No' on the memorandum from politics. Americanism is for you.
"THE LOWEST SALARY SHOULD BE 39 THOUSAND LIRA"
Retirees are shouting, 'We are retired, we are right, we will win.' The AKP is the enemy of retirees and the friend of the rich. As soon as the AKP came, they said, 'We will not give the national share to retirees, as retirees do not increase the national share but decrease it.'
In the triple coalition they did not like (Bülent Ecevit, Mesut Yılmaz, Devlet Bahçeli), the lowest retirement salary was one and a half minimum wages. At that time, 8 quarter gold coins could be bought. Today, not even 2 quarter gold coins can be bought. This is no joke. Retirees lose 6 quarter gold coins every month. Something is found where it was lost. Since it was lost at the ballot box, it will be won at the ballot box. The lowest salary should be 39 thousand lira. Even if they burst or explode, we will stand behind the retirees.