18.12.2025 18:16
The speech made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the European Socialist Party (PES) Leaders Meeting has sparked discussions in Turkey. While Özel's calls to Europe and his statements regarding the government drew reactions, there were strong statements from AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik and AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala.
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel drew reactions with his speech at the European Socialist Party Leaders Meeting. In his speech, he stated, "If you support other authoritarians while fighting against some authoritarians; you leave a social democratic party like ours, which currently has the most mayorships in the world, alone, a party that has become the first party in its country and will create a new wind for all of Europe and the left by coming to power in the first election." Özel faced strong reactions from AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik and AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala.
According to a statement from the party, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended the European Socialist Party (PES) Leaders Meeting held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. In his speech, Özel recalled that some CHP mayors are currently detained due to investigations against them. He mentioned that they have organized rallies in 75 provinces for the detained mayors, and his statements sparked controversy.
"DON'T LEAVE US ALONE" HE SAID Özel stated: "If you support other authoritarians while fighting against some authoritarians; you leave a social democratic party like ours, which currently has the most mayorships in the world, alone, a party that has become the first party in its country and will create a new wind for all of Europe and the left by coming to power in the first election. The management of PES has shown tremendous solidarity at all levels. I wonder how much the countries and parties that make up PES value and contribute to this solidarity?"
"EVERYONE SHOULD ACCOUNT CORRECTLY" Özel argued that if there is democracy in a country, there can be stability and good relations, while in the absence of democracy, self-interest will be promised.
Pointing out that this could open the door to a new instability in the future, Özel continued his remarks:
"Will there be a democratic Turkey at the border of the European Union (EU), and will social democrats, your sister party, be in power in that Turkey? Or will you allow your sister party to be crushed by an authoritarian while being so close to success at your border, and will that authoritarian continue, and you will have stable relations with him? Everyone needs to account for this correctly."
REACTIONS WERE IMMEDIATE Özel's remarks from Belgium caused very strong reactions in Turkey. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik and AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala reacted harshly.
ÇELİK: NOT ACCEPTABLE AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik reacted to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's statements in Brussels. In a post on his social media account, Çelik stated:
"CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel criticized the parties they consider sister parties for having a strong dialogue with our President and supporting Turkey. Mr. Özgür Özel has made it a political character to complain about our President and Turkey to find support abroad. This situation is a very bad record for a political party and politician. Mr. Özgür Özel also reacted to the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, who did not meet with him. This is actually a situation he should learn from. He should evaluate and understand that there is a strong demand for foreign leaders to meet with our President at every summit abroad.
In the same speech, Özgür Özel asked the parties attending the meeting in Brussels, 'Will there be a democratic Turkey at the border of the EU, will social democrats be in power in that Turkey; or will you allow your sister party to be crushed by an authoritarian, allowing that authoritarian to continue?' making both illegitimate definitions and inviting other parties to interfere in Turkey's internal politics. This is a significant deviation. Speaking in the language of the far-right parties in Europe towards our President, who has repeatedly been the first in legitimate elections, is also illegitimate.
Özgür Özel's request for support from foreign parties for the CHP to come to power is a serious situation. This is not politically acceptable, and it should also be addressed in terms of the history of the CHP."
ANOTHER REACTION FROM ALA AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala also commented on Özgür Özel's statements in Brussels, saying, "Trying to question Turkey's achievements based on baseless and unfounded claims in the name of political opposition means inviting intervention in Turkey's internal affairs."
Ala stated in a post on his social media account that they absolutely reject Özel's statements in Brussels and strongly condemn the "baseless and disrespectful" remarks towards the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Ala noted: "Trying to question Turkey's achievements based on baseless and unfounded claims in the name of political opposition means inviting intervention in Turkey's internal affairs. In this context, we strongly condemn the unacceptable words of the CHP Chairman towards our elected President abroad, and we emphasize once again that the Chairman of the second party in the country must abandon this habit. Turkey's stability and strength are indisputable with its democratic will and institutions."