İmamoğlu's notable 'Özgür Özel' message... Issued a call: 'Let's march together with our Chairman'
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently imprisoned, sent a message of support to CHP party leader Özgür Özel.
- İmamoğlu criticized the current state of Turkey, citing injustice, lack of meritocracy, and brain drain.
- He called on young people and all citizens to march together with Özel for justice, merit, freedom, and prosperity.
Istanbul's elected Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, currently detained at the Marmara Prison in Silivri, has publicly expressed support for the newly elected CHP party leader, Özgür Özel. İmamoğlu conveyed his message through a social media post, tagging Özel and issuing a call to action.
In his statement, İmamoğlu criticized the current situation in Turkey, lamenting a decline in justice, law, and fairness, which he believes erodes hope for the future. He expressed concern over declining birth rates and a sense of national decline, attributing these issues to a lack of meritocracy and the resulting "brain drain" of young, talented individuals seeking opportunities elsewhere. "When reason is exiled, the state's order collapses, leaving the field to a handful of incompetent sycophants," İmamoğlu stated.
When reason is exiled, the state's order collapses, leaving the field to a handful of incompetent sycophants.
Imamoğlu then directly appealed to young people and the broader public, urging them to join a collective march for justice, merit, freedom, and prosperity. "This march is for justice, merit, freedom, and the future. It is a march for abundance, welfare, peace, love, and for 86 million people. Let us all march together, with our Chairman Özgür Özel, friends," he declared.
The message from İmamoğlu, a prominent figure in Turkish opposition politics, underscores the internal dynamics within the CHP and signals his continued engagement despite his imprisonment. His call for unity and collective action aims to galvanize support for the party's leadership and its broader political agenda.
This march is for justice, merit, freedom, and the future. It is a march for abundance, welfare, peace, love, and for 86 million people. Let us all march together, with our Chairman Özgür Özel, friends.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.