Chairman of the Republican People's Party, Özgür Özel: "Whoever wants to speak out for Palestine should be allowed, but the dual practice hurts consciences."

Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi Genel Başkanı Özgür Özel, answered the questions of journalists after the Friday prayer at Manisa Saruhanlı Central Mosque.

“Our country has suffered both a lot of pain and difficulties in 2025”
Özgür Özel, 11 yıldır her 2 Ocak’ta Saruhanlı’da olduklarını belirterek, vefat eden belediye başkan adayı Diş Hekimi Muharrem Ekici andı. Özel, “2025 yılı emekliler, asgari ücretliler, çiftçiler ve esnaf için zor geçti. Afetler, kuraklık, yangınlar yaşandı. Sokakta, mutfakta, pazarda yangın var. Bunların 2026’da hızla iyileşmesini temenni ediyoruz.” dedi.

“The notion that CHP is banned and others are free is unacceptable.”
When asked about allowing the march in support of Gaza on January 1, while CHP was not allowed on the Galata Bridge before, Özel said, "The permission given yesterday is correct. The previous ones were a big mistake. Whoever wants to speak out for Gaza or Palestine should be allowed. However, the double practice hurts the conscience."

“Diplomacy is a must for the implementation of the March 10 agreement”
Referring to the March 10 agreement signed between the Damascus administration and the YPG in Syria, Özel said, "We condemn the attacks against Arab Alevis and Druze. Arabs, Kurds and Turks should live in peace. For this, a Syrian constitution in which everyone is represented is needed."

“Minimum wage is below the hunger line, this situation is unbearable”
Making evaluations about the economy, Özel stated that the minimum wage remained below the hunger line on the day it was announced.

“If 2026 is not a livelihood year, it will be an election year”
Referring to the early election debates, Özgür Özel said, "We should not wait another 1.5-2 years while the situation is at stake. If 2026 will not be a livelihood year, it will be an election year."

Kaynak: CUMHA - CUMHUR HABER AJANSI