Opposition leader Özgür Özel brands Turkish government exhausted, calls for early elections in Eskişehir

At a rally in Eskişehir, CHP chairman Özgür Özel accused the ruling party of being “exhausted, depleted and ageing”, called the March 19 events a “civil coup attempt”, and urged early elections and a change of government. He linked the party’s local‑government successes to a national model, saying “Eskişehir Modelini Türkiye’ye Taşıyacağız”.

Özel also criticised Turkey’s foreign policy, referencing the NATO summit, US influence and former President Trump, and denounced a government that “pays interest to the rich while neglecting ordinary citizens”. The event drew thousands of supporters, featured a two‑kilometre march through Hamamyolu, and filled the Atatürk Cultural and Congress Center.