Turkish Opposition Leaders Arıkan and Kalaycı Condemn Religious Mockery, Call for Pension Boost

Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arıkan told party branch leaders that the nation’s values, saints and faith must not be turned into stage shows. He highlighted the party’s rapid growth, adding 60,638 new members in the last six months and 127,882 over the past year. Arıkan criticised current inflation trends, urged the government to raise the lowest pension above the hunger line, and to keep the minimum wage above that threshold before the parliament recess. He also warned against NATO’s global agenda and referenced the detained activist Deniz Göktaş.

MHP Deputy Mustafa Kalaycı, speaking at a district congress, echoed the stance that any insult to religion and belief is unacceptable. He condemned the treatment of Deniz Göktaş, called the mockery of the Qur’an unacceptable, and supported a proposal to increase the minimum pension to 23,552 lira. Kalaycı pledged the party’s backing for measures that improve pensions, wages, and protect religious values.

Both leaders called for collective action in parliament to address pension increases and defend religious sensitivities.