Özgür Özel in Istanbul: “81 percent of citizens find what is being done wrong.”

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel criticized the government in a speech at the 39th Istanbul Provincial Congress. Özel claimed that rare earth elements in Eskişehir were discussed during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's meeting with Donald Trump. Özel described the trustee appointments as "coup mechanics" and stated that 81 percent of citizens viewed the post-local election policies as flawed.

In his speech at his party's 39th Ordinary Istanbul Provincial Congress, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel criticized the government's policies and outlined his party's transformation over the past two years. Özel noted that 430,000 members had completed their delegate elections through ballot boxes set up in their neighborhoods, emphasizing the organization's resistance against all forms of oppression.

Özel stated that the Istanbul organization displayed a resolute stance during the events that took place in Saraçhane on March 19th, stating that the organization remained on the ground despite the closure of ferries and the blocking of transportation. Özel noted that they had held their third Istanbul Provincial Congress in two years and that once the congress process was completed, they would hold their fourth congress in two years.

The CHP leader recalled that AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was tried on charges of bribery, extortion, and corruption during his time as mayor of Istanbul. However, the trial took place without a warrant, and Erdoğan was never taken into custody. Özel explained that Erdoğan's sentence for a poem he recited in Siirt was decriminalized with the support of CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal and the constitution was amended. He also explained that following the rerun of the elections, Erdoğan was elected as a member of parliament from Siirt and became prime minister.

Özel, claiming that different treatment is currently being applied to CHP mayors, argued that Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained and that the diploma he received 31 years ago was revoked, arguing that this situation was contradictory. Özel emphasized that the same Erdoğan has appointed trustees to the current mayor of Siirt for three terms, stating that these practices are undemocratic.

Özel explained that after losing the presidential elections held between May 14 and 28, there was a profound disappointment within the party and an emotional rift among its members. Özel noted that those who believed something needed to change came together at the time, and that Ekrem İmamoğlu was the first to call for change. He added that they acted with the belief that "if the Republican People's Party changes, Türkiye will change."

Özel stated that they were careful not to offend or alienate anyone during this process, explaining that they first changed parties and then achieved success in local elections. He emphasized that the CHP has been patient for 47 years and that when it failed to win elections, it sought fault within itself, not others. Özel stated that they were seeking to reopen Parliament, which was closed even during the July 15 coup attempt, and that they would not seek any authority not granted by the people.

Özel, recalling the appointment of a trustee to Esenyurt on October 30, 2024, and the arrest of the Beşiktaş Mayor in January 2025, stated that he had said, "A coup mechanism is at work" in a group conversation on February 18, 2024, and that some people at the time couldn't make sense of it. However, Özel stated that they had seen the issue and decided to appoint their candidates early and hold primary elections to counter this challenge. He claimed that the government had applied to revoke Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma on the same day he submitted his application.

Özel, stating that they have been fighting for 214 days, explained that they first held protests in Saraçhane, then in Maltepe and various other provinces in Anatolia. Özel noted that according to a survey, only 19 percent of citizens approved the action, while 81 percent found it wrong. He added that this rate demonstrates the nation's reaction to the actions.

We are explaining our righteousness, and we will continue to do so. Everyone should know that, just as it was on the day it was founded, just as it was on March 31st, just as it is in the polls today, and just as it is in the first ballot box, the Republican People's Party is Türkiye's leading party.

Özel criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's meeting with President Donald Trump in the US, questioning the official role of the meeting with Trump's son in Istanbul before the meeting. Özel claimed that rare earth elements in Eskişehir were discussed during these meetings, and quoted US Ambassador Barrack as saying, "Trump is smart; he gives Erdoğan what he doesn't have, he takes everything."

Özel, noting that Türkiye has purchased 225 Boeing aircraft and signed an exorbitantly priced natural gas agreement, emphasized the crucial importance of rare earth elements for future technologies. He noted that the world is entering a period in which great miracles will occur with small elements, and explained that even nanograms of elements are used in numerous technological products, from electric vehicles to cell phones, and that they are of great value.

Özel stated that Türkiye is one of only 10 or so countries possessing this element, ranking fifth, and noted that China, despite having the largest reserves, hasn't depleted its own and is pursuing global reserves. Özel, who claimed that these elements were one of the reasons for the US's visit to Ukraine, reacted to Erdoğan by saying, "We will not allow our political future to be traded for Türkiye's future with Trump."

Özel explained that at the previous congress, provincial administrations were seized by court order, but delegates took action, going to notaries and declaring, "We stand behind our party; we stand directly against the trustee and the palace." Özel emphasized that today's delegate change occurred not through external intervention, but rather through 430,000 CHP members going to the polls in 39 districts of Istanbul, proving that this is proof that the CHP cannot be subjected to external operations.

At the end of his speech, Özel reminded the delegates that Ekrem İmamoğlu and 16 others had paid the price with their freedom, and stated that he promised the delegates not good days but struggle, and that he promised them not only power but also honor, dignity, and courage, and that they were determined to be on the path to power.

He concluded his special remarks as follows:

"As I did 100 years ago, I promise to risk death if necessary, but not to surrender to the occupation. If they let you, let them; if not, I promise to win elections in their place and bring them to their rightful place. I promise you not only power; I promise you honor, dignity, and courage. I see that determination, that faith, that courage in your eyes. Are you ready to embark on this march to power together, to endure these thorny paths, to endure the pain, but not to surrender? Then come on, my friends, we are going to power. Let's march. Let's march together."