President Erdoğan on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing it of inciting violence and destabilizing the country through protests over the legal troubles of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu. Erdoğan dismissed the demonstrations as an orchestrated show, vowing that those responsible would ultimately face justice and regret their actions.
“The opposition’s performance will eventually come to an end, and they will feel ashamed of the damage they have done to our country,” Erdoğan declared in a televised address after a meeting of the Cabinet.
The protests erupted following detention Imamoğlu, sparking widespread unrest in major cities. Clashes between police and demonstrators have led to injuries and property damage, intensifying political tensions. Erdoğan placed the blame squarely on the opposition, particularly the Republican People’s Party (CHP), holding them responsible for attacks on police officers and destruction of public and private property.
“This movement has evolved into pure violence,” he said. “Those who instigated this chaos will be held accountable.”
Imamoğlu was detained last week Wednesday on multiple charges, including alleged ties to the PKK terrorist group.
He was arrested early Sunday on corruption charges, while the court decided not to arrest him in connection to terrorism-related allegations.
Erdoğan also questioned the opposition’s capability to govern, arguing that their actions prove they cannot be trusted with leadership, whether at the municipal or national level. “It is evident that the main opposition cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of running the state, let alone managing municipalities,” he asserted. In a scathing rebuke, Erdoğan accused CHP leaders of avoiding corruption allegations and instead resorting to political attacks. “Rather than addressing claims of bribery, embezzlement and misconduct, they have spent five days issuing the most disgraceful and legally unfounded statements in our political history,” he said.
The president warned against further unrest, urging the CHP to rein in radical elements. “Stop provoking our citizens and disturbing public order. If you have the courage, answer for the corruption and bribery allegations against you.”
Erdoğan suggested that Türkiye’s progress in eliminating terrorism has left the opposition scrambling for relevance.
“As we move closer to a terror-free Türkiye, those who have long exploited such issues are resorting to desperate outbursts,” he claimed. He accused CHP leaders of hypocrisy, pointing to internal divisions within the party. “As their former chairman once put it so well, the opposition is best at devouring itself.”
The terror-free Türkiye initiative was launched last year by government ally Devlet Bahçeli. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Bahçeli has called for the jailed leader of the terrorist group PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, to speak at the parliamentary group meeting of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, which is known for its intricate links with PKK and made his call for the dissolution of the PKK. The DEM Party was a messenger for Öcalan in talks to realize the initiative. Finally, last February, Öcalan issued a message to his group, urging them to lay down arms and dissolve themselves. PKK is expected to hold a “congress” this spring to announce their full compliance with Öcalan’s call.
Turkish-US ties
Erdoğan also referenced a recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting efforts to strengthen economic ties. “In our sincere discussion, we addressed major issues, including lifting barriers to achieving our $100 billion trade target.”
Last Sunday, Erdoğan spoke by telephone with Trump, discussing efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and to restore stability in Syria. He told Trump that Türkiye supported his “decisive and direct initiatives” to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and would continue to strive for a “just and lasting peace,” the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications said in a statement. The president also expressed hope that Türkiye’s relations with the U.S. would proceed with a solution-oriented, sincere approach under Trump. On counterterrorism, Erdoğan said Ankara hoped that the U.S. would understand Türkiye’s interests in fighting against terrorism, in a thinly veiled reference to Washington’s alliance with a terrorist group in Syria threatening Türkiye.
In his first message of congratulations after Trump won the elections last year, Erdoğan described the U.S. leader as a “friend.” Although Turkish-U.S. relations were not a bed of roses under Trump, Erdoğan won the praise of the U.S. president, who described him as “a smart guy and friend” in his remarks before and after taking office for his second presidential tenure.
Turkish-U.S. ties deteriorated to an extent under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, who was expected to host Erdoğan at the White House last April before that meeting was postponed to May 2024 and then indefinitely, although the two leaders maintained phone contact.
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