05.03.2025 17:11
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, stated in his speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, "You are closely monitoring the pressures on Turkey's local democracy established through our party and the municipalities of other opposition parties, as well as the government-directed judicial harassment. We are responding to this process not with passive resistance, but with a defiant stand and objection."
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CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel came to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to speak at the meeting of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the second largest group in the European Parliament (EP) with 136 seats. Özel received an invitation letter from Group Chair Iratxe García Pérez to speak at the group meeting.
During his contacts, Özel was accompanied by CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Böke, Deputy Chairman responsible for Foreign Affairs İlhan Uzgel, Eskişehir MP Jale Nur Süllü, former Deputy Secretary General Şule Erten Bucak, and former Deputy Chairman Gülseren Onanç.
IRATXE GARCÍA PÉREZ: TURKEY'S FUTURE CANNOT BE WRITTEN WITHOUT DEMOCRACY Garcia Perez, who invited Özel to the podium by explaining the success CHP achieved in the recent local elections, said: "As you know, in the last local elections, the metropolitan municipalities; primarily Ankara and Istanbul were won by CHP. This is a sign of the progressive program they follow and the major transformation that Turkey needs. We hope for a change of government in Turkey as this transformation continues. Of course, there are some obstacles in front of this development. The current government systematically violates fundamental rights. As the EP, we condemned and continue to condemn these pressures and attacks. The treatment of democratically elected mayors has no place in democracy. We believe in a strong Europe, and Turkey is a reference country for us. We share a common geography. We cannot write our future without Turkey. Turkey's future cannot be written without democracy. Therefore, our support for the Turkish people is complete. We expect Turkey to return to the center of the European family. We desire a modern and prosperous Turkey. Mr. Özgür, you have our support as your party, you are not alone in any way, and you are with your allies in the EP."
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: I EXPECT OUR PARTY TO WIN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS TO MEET VON DER LEYEN In his speech, Özel expressed his satisfaction with the kind invitation extended for him to be here. Özel stated: "I would like to extend my thanks to our rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor in your presence. He performs a very important duty fairly, seeing Turkey as not just one person, one name, or one party, and hearing the voice of the opposition, valuing relations with the opposition as much as relations with the government. The attitude of the EU Commission President Von der Leyen is contradictory to this approach. She expects our party to win the general elections to meet with the president of a party that emerged first in the last elections in Turkey, winning municipalities that constitute 65% of the population and 80% of the economy. Of course, this is her own preference, but I would like to start by noting that it carries a significant risk in terms of institutional relations.
I AM SPEAKING TO YOU AS THE CHAIRMAN OF TURKEY'S LEADING PARTY In addition to being the leader of one of Europe's oldest and strongest social democratic parties, I am speaking as the chairman of the party that emerged first in the elections held 11 months ago, on March 31, 2024. I would like to mention two important points regarding these elections in terms of Turkish politics. The first is that my party has become the leading party again after 47 years. The second is that the ruling AK Party has fallen to the position of the second party for the first time since its establishment, suffering a heavy defeat in an election. This situation has been consistently reflected in all general election polls conducted since the election.
OUR PARTY LEADS THE STRUGGLE FOR A STRONG DEMOCRACY, LAW, AND JUSTICE We are in a period where all political actors, movements, and parties fighting for full democracy around the world and throughout Europe must be in dialogue and solidarity with each other. Under the leadership of our party's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, we not only established the modern republic but also transitioned our country to a multi-party life and democratic elections in 1950. We are the representatives of the politics that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established in Turkey and expressed in the 1920s as 'the sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the nation.' Unfortunately, today, 100 years later, we are in a period where authoritarian populist leaders directly and systematically target rules and institutions worldwide. They are regressing the rule of law and the separation of powers by learning from each other and standing in solidarity. This understanding, which prioritizes so-called strong leadership over common sense, is spreading all over the world. In our country, our party leads a strong struggle for democracy, law, and justice against this understanding.
MY PARTY'S POSITION IS DECISIVE CONTRARY TO THE CONTRADICTORY ATTITUDES OF THE GOVERNMENT ON EU FULL MEMBERSHIP The struggle we are waging in our country aligns with the founding principles and goals of our party, as well as the common values of the EU. It would not be wrong to say that we have common risks and threats alongside common values and goals. Contrary to the contextually contradictory attitudes of the ruling party in our country regarding full EU membership, the historically and principled stable position adopted by my party forms the basis of our determination for full membership. For us, Europe is not just a geography we are part of. For the last two centuries, our country has turned its face to the West, entered the modernization process with its first Constitution, and has been accepted as part of the European public order and European Harmony with the 1856 Paris Congress that ended the Crimean War. Since then, although there have been ups and downs in our relations, the need for multifaceted relations and mutual solidarity between Europe and Turkey has never changed.
THE SOCIAL DEMAND INCREASED AFTER WE DEFINED THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS AS A REFERENDUM IN TERMS OF EU MEMBERSHIP Turkey's preference for Europe is not just a historical, political, and strategic decision. It is also a social preference. The attitude of the governments and how the politics in the country position relations with the EU directly reflect on voter preferences. Past crises with Europe and mutual mistakes had reduced Turkey's demand for EU membership to around 25%.
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However, our party's relations with the EU, the close solidarity we maintain with our sister parties in Europe, the active roles we undertake in international collaborations, and our goal of full EU membership as the party closest to power in the upcoming elections being our main promise, even describing the upcoming elections as a referendum on EU membership, have led to a steady increase in public demand for EU membership, reaching up to 66% in the latest surveys. Particularly among the youth, the demand for EU membership stands at 72%.
"THE EU SHOULD NOT VIEW TURKEY AS A MIGRANT DEPOT BEYOND ITS BORDERS" However, that EU should not be one that confines its relationship with Turkey to migrant bargaining, viewing Turkey as a migrant depot beyond its borders. Turkey should not be seen as a country that holds back the significant migration pressure from the East due to wars and climate crises, in exchange for economic aid and political support from the West. Turkey-EU relations are multidimensional. A multidimensional relationship, of course, seeks mutual stability and democracy. Within this relationship, there are humanitarian contacts and ties, trade, investment, tourism, education, regional security, and strategic issues. Along with all these, the recent conditions in the world have placed the defense cooperation aspect of the relationship between the EU and Turkey on a more significant ground than ever. The challenges posed by recent global politics compel us to adopt a defense-focused perspective, yet the supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic five years ago gives another importance to Turkey-EU relations. It is clear that many strong and high-potential countries on the same continent are pregnant with many known and unknown crises that they must face together. In anticipated and unforeseen crises, mutual trust is the greatest assurance.
"THE APPROACH THAT REDUCES RELATIONS TO THE ISSUE OF REFUGEES MUST BE ABANDONED" The test we all face is whether strong, inclusive institutions, institutional relationships, a multilateral world order, and democracy will be neglected while seeking solutions to crises. Sacrificing democracy while seeking stability and security will not only result in inconsistency and lack of principles but will also lead to complete vulnerability in the next crisis. The approach that reduces relations to the issue of refugees, seen as the sole and primary topic, by ignoring this comprehensive relationship requirement must be abandoned without delay. Today's need is for 360-degree diplomacy, strong cooperation, and a relationship centered on institutions rather than personal ties, one that does not make principles and universal values a bargaining chip, and establishes a complete mutual trust relationship. As a party, we do not find it right to see democracy as an alternative to stability and human rights as a concern for security. We see this as parts of a complementary whole, stating that 'if one is absent, the other cannot exist.' We must remember that actors committed to democratic values, principles, and norms negotiate; while actors who adopt pragmatism bargain. It should not be forgotten that easily obtained bargaining gains can be easily lost. The relationship between the EU and Turkey must quickly return to a foundation based on principles, norms, and values, and both sides must work hand in hand to build democratic ideals and a culture of democracy.
"THE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT THAT WILL SUSTAIN THE LAW IS THE CULTURE OF DEMOCRACY" Here, I would like to particularly emphasize the expression 'culture of democracy.' Making laws is a matter dependent on a finger count. For example, in our Parliament, a law can be passed with 301 votes, a constitutional referendum can be held with 360 votes, and constitutional amendments can be made without a referendum with 400 votes. The numbers required to pass a law in the European Parliament are also clear. The culture of democracy goes far beyond the fingers that press the approval button; it is something that can only be built through total solidarity. Laws, legality, and the rule of law require institutionalized oversight mechanisms. However, beyond those mechanisms, the fundamental element that will sustain the law is the culture of democracy. Those who erode democracy with the claim of genuine representation are also undermining the rule of law by referring to the law. The concept of 'lawfare,' derived from the combination of the words 'law' and 'warfare,' points to this. In other words, those who use the law as a weapon today are placing the rule of law within the range of the law. The steel armor of the law is the culture of democracy, and this must be protected.
"TURKEY'S INTEGRATION AS AN INSEPARABLE PART OF EUROPE IS BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH US AND EUROPE" I share the proposition that we have entered an age of uncertainty. For this reason, I understand all the concerns in this hall and on the continent. The war in Ukraine, the horrific massacre in Gaza, the long-awaited change of administration in Syria, which has only been achieved through a difficult takeover of control, and the rapid decisions taken by the Trump administration in the US aimed at dismantling the multilateral world order and democratic institutions are just a few of these developments. In this age of uncertainties we live in, we are aware that Turkey's strategic importance is increasing at a time when global balances are being re-established. Turkey holds an important geopolitical position. In this environment of uncertainty and geopolitical tension, Turkey being a democratic, reliable, predictable, environmentally respectful, stable country with strong institutions, and being an inseparable part of Europe is beneficial for both us and Europe. Turkey is a country with a more rooted democratic tradition than many of the EU's new members, with its dynamic economy, young population, and vibrant and resilient civil society dynamism.
"TURKEY IS NEITHER JUST A PARTY NOR JUST A PERSON" Turkey is a strong country of 86 million people, whose youth, academics, business people, and even patients face unjust visa restrictions imposed by European friends benefiting from the energy lines and trade routes that pass through it. It is neither just a party nor just a person. The CHP sees Turkey as a part of the European system and Western democracies. I sincerely believe that a healthy and principled relationship to be established between the EU and Turkey will benefit both sides, contribute to the democratization of both sides, and enhance the welfare and security of both sides.
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The support expressed by our comrades in the Socialist International, represented in this hall, for our party's goal of full membership in the EU through various declarations has strengthened our party and our country.
"WE ARE RISING UP AND REBELLING WITH A CHALLENGE AND OBJECTION AGAINST THE JUDICIAL HARASSMENTS DRIVEN BY POWER" You are closely following the pressures on Turkey's local democracy established through our party and the municipalities of other opposition parties, as well as the power-driven judicial harassments. We are rising up and rebelling with a challenge and objection instead of passive resistance. Ekrem İmamoğlu, the Mayor of our beloved Istanbul, which has been the capital of the three most well-known empires in the world, will officially win the title of presidential candidate on March 23, through a primary election process where 1 million 700 thousand of our members will go directly to the polls. In a process open to many candidates, the trust placed in him and the protective social ownership against the attacks he has faced have placed the responsibility of being the sole candidate in the primary election on him, while the responsibility of gathering millions behind him has fallen on our party. We are confident and determined that with the completion of this primary election process, the names competing in the first general elections to be held will become clear, and the only uncertainty regarding the elections is the election date.
"WHAT KIND OF EUROPE DO EUROPEAN POLITICIANS DREAM OF?" My party desires a democratic, peaceful, secular Turkey that respects human rights and the rule of law. We dream of such a Turkey and fight for it. What kind of Europe do European politicians dream of? I believe that the relationship between the EU and Turkey cannot be thought of independently of this question.