Turkish main opposition leader vows support to Gezi protesters

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu met foreign media correspondents in Istanbul today. DHA photo

The main opposition leader has vowed to support the decisions of the Taksim Gezi Park protesters regardless of what they decide, saying that the demonstrators are asking for freedom and democracy, the same things his party demands.

“We respect and support the decisions of demonstrators regardless of what they decide on, whether to stay in or leave the park,” the Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu told members of foreign media at a meeting in Istanbul today.

“They [protesters] want more freedom and democracy,” said Kılıçdaroğlu adding that this was what the CHP was demanding for Turkey.

Kılıçdaroğlu also said that the Gezi Park protesters were criticizing his party CHP most, adding that the political parties should listen to the criticism against themselves.  

Kılıçdaroğlu also criticized Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s two rallies that were planned in Ankara today and in Istanbul on Sunday. “Those who hold rallies against their own people are called dictators,” said Kılıçdaroğlu, referring to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) rallies this weekend.

A video showing the excessive use of force by Turkish police against the protesters during the ongoing protests was screened at the meeting with foreign media members.