01.02.2025 16:31
President Erdoğan reacted to the slogan "There is no salvation alone, either together or none of us," which was chanted in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse where Ekrem İmamoğlu gave statements in two separate investigations. Erdoğan stated, "The slogan they chanted against the police belongs to a leftist terrorist organization that robbed Ziraat Bank in 1971. The slogan of those who robbed the bank has turned into the slogan of those who rob municipalities decades later."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress of his party in Manisa. In his speech, he reacted strongly to the events that took place in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse, where Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu gave statements as part of two separate investigations.
"THEY HAVE FOUND THE SLOGAN OF THIEVES AND KILLERS"
Reacting to the slogan "There is no salvation alone, either we all together or none of us" chanted in front of the courthouse, Erdoğan said, "Look at the irony of fate, the slogan they chanted against the police in front of the courthouse belongs to a leftist terrorist organization that robbed Ziraat Bank in 1971. The slogan of bank robbers has turned into the slogan of those who rob municipalities decades later. You know how they say 'it fits perfectly.' Their situation is exactly like that. The pot has rolled, and it has found its lid. Just like a red card, I sincerely express that these new slogans suit the CHP very well, and we congratulate Mr. Özel and his entourage. If it were us, we would have recommended this slogan to them again. As we wish for a beneficial opposition, we find ourselves facing a CHP that falls apart at every turn. What can we say? Perhaps this is for the best."
Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements:
Manisa, which has risen like the sun in our history, raising Cihangirs. Manisa, the pearl of the fertile lands nourished by Gediz. Manisa, reminiscent of a table of honor with its beauties and architectural works. Today, I greet you once again with respect and love. From here, I send my warmest regards to all of Manisa. I pray to Almighty Allah that our AK Party Manisa 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress brings goodness to our country, our nation, and our democracy.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of our Manisa organizations. I congratulate all my brothers who have supported our movement and cause in Manisa since its establishment. I once again remember our brothers who have passed away within our organization with mercy and gratitude. May Allah bless their souls and make their places paradise. Today, I sincerely thank the members of the organization who are handing over their duties on behalf of my country and my party, and I wish success to my new colleagues who have taken on new responsibilities.
Yesterday, we were in Antalya. A little while ago, we were guests in Izmir. In our congress process that started on October 12, we are holding our 78th provincial congress together with Manisa. Next Friday, we will be in Istanbul. We have provincial congresses in Artvin and Yalova. In between, on February 5, we will meet with our sisters from all over the country in Ankara at the 7th Ordinary Congress of our Women's Branch.
On February 23, if Allah permits, we will complete our congress marathon with our grand congress. Thank God, we held our provincial and district congresses in a festive atmosphere, within a brotherhood atmosphere, with very large participation. Today, we saw the excitement and enthusiasm you see in this hall all over our country. Through our congresses, we embraced our nation. We renewed our brotherhood. We strengthened our friendship. We reiterated our commitment. We blended the experience of our retirees with the dynamism of our youth. Despite the intensity of government work, we personally participated in many of our provincial congresses.
From Diyarbakır to Trabzon, from Adana and Mersin to Samsun, from Malatya to Bursa, we embraced, conversed, and shared our concerns with the dedicated, sincere, and loyal members of our AK Party in every corner of our country. In this process, we once again saw that our party is at the top, not only in terms of having over 11 million members but also in terms of vision, horizon, effort, and love for serving the nation. As the AK Party and the People's Alliance, we have an inclusive structure that embraces all 85 million, representing every individual and their colors. Inshallah, we will continue to strengthen this characteristic. We will not be destructive or exclusionary. Just as we have been constructive until now, we will continue to be constructive. We will build bridges of hearts. With a politics of brotherhood, we will build bridges of hearts among 85 million.
I want to emphasize once again today: While there is so much tension, conflict, and war in our region, while our geography is pregnant with new crises and instabilities, while the system established after World War II is being reshaped from scratch, and while critical developments directly affecting our country and our future are taking place, we cannot occupy ourselves with empty matters and empty agendas.
We need to work harder to achieve our goals. We need to sweat more to build the Century of Turkey. If we want to leave a more prosperous, strong, and respected country to our children, we must use all our capacity, not waste time on unnecessary discussions, and not waste even a second.
I always say this. The incompetence of the opposition cannot be our reference. The laziness of the opposition cannot be our excuse. We do not fall into complacency by looking at the opposition's ineptitude. We all already realize that they have no concern for solving problems or being a remedy for the nation's troubles. They do not even follow what is happening in our country, let alone the world.
A ceasefire has been achieved in Gaza after 471 days, the oppression that lasted 13.5 years in Syria has come to an end, racist parties in Europe have reached a level to overthrow governments, and there are significant changes in trade, technology, and the world. Yes, none of these events and others are of any concern to them. They have no slightest idea about the developments. They have no alternative to offer. Their only concern is their own interests, their own future plans. I do not even need to mention the power struggles that bore their own voters, the fights, and the noise.
We sometimes watch them with regret, sometimes with pity, but most of the time, we watch them with shame on behalf of our country's opposition.
Please remember two years ago. They used to praise their former leader to the skies. They called him Gandi Kemal, the democratic uncle of the youth. They showered him with constant praise. But whatever happened, they declared Bay Kemal, whom they said would save Turkey, an unwanted person in a day. They blamed all the failures of the May 14-28 elections on Bay Kemal and expelled him from the CHP headquarters with a dubious congress. Until a few months ago, they deemed him worthy of managing 85 million but did not see him fit to lead the CHP. Now, there is neither anyone knocking on his door nor anyone curious about his ideas.
Of course, I must also acknowledge a reality here.
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In fact, we have often emphasized that this person has harmed our country's politics for years, poisoned our democracy with his lies, slanders, and insults, and cast a shadow over the reputation of the political institution. Therefore, even though it was a process filled with question marks, we initially welcomed the removal of the CHP's leadership. We believed that Turkey would breathe a little easier and that politics would settle into the necessary framework. With this understanding, we gave the new chairman a chance to steer political competition into a more constructive and moderate atmosphere. Our aim was to reduce polarization, soften the political climate, and contribute to the normalization of the CHP.
When it comes to the issues of the country and the nation, we tried to build at least a common ground where we could meet and establish a dialogue. However, the guardianship factions within the main opposition, which thrive on tension, could not tolerate this. They insisted on expressing their discomfort at every opportunity. Unfortunately, they did not allow the CHP to normalize. Later, they experienced an even greater deviation than before.
At this point, we see that the main opposition party in Turkey is attacking the police with the slogans of marginal leftist organizations that have blood on their hands from soldiers and police, in front of the courthouse named after our prosecutor who was martyred by DHKP-C scoundrels. They use such insults, such words, and such threat-laden sentences that even the faces of the crowd in front of them do not turn red. I do not even mention the third-rate plays staged by the so-called journalists and politicians. But no matter what they do, they will not be able to prevent the administration of justice.
Of course, I would like to mention this tragicomic situation, which we are still unsure whether to laugh or cry about. Look at the irony of fate; the slogan they shouted against the police in front of the courthouse belongs to a leftist terrorist organization that robbed Ziraat Bank in 1971. The slogan of those who robbed the bank has turned into the slogan of those who rob municipalities decades later. You know how they say, 'it fits perfectly.' Their situation is exactly like that. The pot has rolled, and it has found its lid. Just like a red card, I sincerely express that these new slogans suit the CHP very well, and we congratulate Mr. Özel and his entourage. If it were us, we would have recommended this slogan to them again. As we wished for a beneficial opposition, we find ourselves facing a CHP that falls apart no matter where you hold it. What can we say? Perhaps this is for the best.
Details are coming.
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