CHP Chairman Özgür Özel recently participated in the Socialist International Europe Committee Meeting held in Bucharest, Romania. As the Vice President of Socialist International, Özel represented Turkey at the event hosted at the Bucharest Parliament Palace. He was accompanied by key party figures including General Secretary Selin Sayek Böke, Deputy Chairman İlhan Uzgel, Istanbul MP Namık Tan, Party Council Member Emin Umut Dikili, and former Deputy General Secretary Şule Bucak. The meeting emphasized the CHP’s remarkable success in the March 31 local elections, noting the party’s significant impact on Turkey’s European Union membership aspirations.
The Bucharest Declaration, published at the Socialist International’s Europe Committee meeting, highlighted the CHP’s victory and its implications for Turkey’s EU process. This section, added at the initiative of Özgür Özel and the CHP delegation, gained unanimous approval. The declaration congratulated CHP on their impressive local election performance and endorsed their continued efforts toward democracy and reform critical for Turkey’s EU accession.
During the meeting, Selin Sayek Böke was appointed to manage relations between the Socialist International and the Socialist Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Socialist International sources emphasized the importance of these roles for enhancing Turkey’s and CHP’s influence on the international stage. Özel’s vice presidency and Böke’s new role signify a strategic increase in the party’s global presence.
In his speech at the Bucharest summit, Özgür Özel reaffirmed CHP’s dedication to integrating Turkey within the framework of European values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Özel stressed the non-negotiable nature of Turkey’s full EU membership, highlighting CHP’s commitment to making Turkey a leading democracy within Europe.
Özel also addressed the upcoming parliamentary elections in France, urging French citizens of Turkish descent to vote against far-right candidates and support democratic values. His call to action was clear: “Vote for democracy and against the far-right,” encouraging active participation in the democratic process.
In his address to diplomats from various countries, Özel congratulated the UK Labour Party for their electoral success and praised the timely initiation of the Socialist International Europe Committee by Pedro Sanchez. He emphasized the role of Socialist International member parties in developing policies that effectively address citizens’ needs, countering the rise of the far-right across Europe.
Özel highlighted CHP’s success in the March 31 elections as a testament to the party’s adherence to the principle of change, demonstrating that social democracy can adapt to contemporary challenges and provide lasting solutions. He noted that recent polls positioned CHP as Turkey’s leading party, capable of replicating its local election success in future parliamentary elections.
CHP’s approach extends beyond opposition, focusing on identifying and solving key issues affecting workers, farmers, retirees, and youth. Özel discussed the party’s proactive stance in negotiating with the government and other parties, emphasizing the importance of addressing economic and social challenges. Despite the brief period since the elections, CHP has organized major rallies across five key cities, addressing crucial issues and sparking early election discussions.
Özel called for the Socialist International Europe Committee to lead the establishment of a new economic order, addressing inequalities created by neoliberalism and fostering job creation and inclusive growth through enhanced education and equal opportunities. He underscored the need for a modern social state, aligned with Europe’s leadership in social democracy.
Özel concluded by highlighting CHP’s growing influence in foreign policy, reinforced by its substantial membership base and electoral support, positioning CHP as one of Europe’s most significant social democratic parties.
