CHP Leader Özgür Özel: 'We Are Entering the EU, Bringing Smiles to Our Nation'
We will make the nation smile again—there is no other way
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CHP Leader Özgür Özel: 'We Are Entering the EU, Bringing Smiles to Our Nation'
YEREL GÜNDEM / TÜRKİYE
CHP (Republican People's Party) Chairman Özgür Özel, during his visit to Balıkesir's Manyas district, reiterated his party’s vision of securing Turkey’s full membership in the European Union within a decade if they take power. With a clear nod to Atatürk's vision of aligning Turkey with Western ideals, Özel declared, "We are steering towards Europe, saluting Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. We are entering the European Union. We will make the nation smile again—there is no other way."
Özel emphasized that unlike the ruling AKP's (Justice and Development Party) past economic reforms, such as removing six zeros from the Turkish currency, the CHP's approach would focus on improving purchasing power. He urged citizens to imagine a scenario where, with today's wages, basic goods like fuel and meat would cost a fraction of their current price. “Imagine diesel costing 4 liras or ground beef at 55 liras with today’s wages. That’s what being in the EU means. Their pensioners have 12 times more purchasing power than ours,” said Özel.
The CHP leader also used the occasion to highlight his vision for a future where Turkey is fully integrated into the EU, stating that with the party in power, within ten years, Turkey could achieve this goal and substantially improve the living standards of its people.
Referring to prices in Manyas, he compared today’s high costs with what could be achieved under a CHP-led government and European Union standards, claiming that "tea could cost 75 kuruş instead of 7.5 lira, diesel could be 4 lira, and beef 55 lira."
This bold claim is part of a broader strategy to align Turkey more closely with European economic and political standards. Özel also reminded the audience of his earlier speech at the Second Century Change Congress in Sivas, where he underscored the importance of EU membership as a key element of the CHP’s long-term vision for Turkey’s future.
Özel’s remarks also included a reference to his participation in the Socialist International European Committee summit in Bucharest, where he rallied Turkish citizens living in France to vote against far-right parties in the French general elections. The summit’s declaration emphasized the international support for CHP’s struggle to advance Turkey's EU membership process.
As Turkey continues to grapple with economic challenges, the CHP is positioning itself as the party of reform and European integration, promising a future where Turkish citizens enjoy the same economic privileges as their counterparts in Europe.
