Turkey’s main opposition leader, Özgür Özel, sharply criticized the European Union and the broader international community on Thursday for what he described as their muted response to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s escalating crackdown on democratic institutions and opposition figures.
Speaking at a Party of European Socialists (PES) meeting ahead of the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Özel said Erdoğan is “not even feeling 10 percent of the pressure he should be under” from Western governments. He warned that the perceived indifference of European leaders is emboldening Erdoğan to intensify political repression at home.
The crackdown has particularly targeted the Republican People’s Party (CHP), which scored a major victory in the March 2024 local elections, emerging as Turkey’s leading political force for the first time in decades. Since then, numerous CHP officials, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been arrested on charges widely viewed as politically motivated. İmamoğlu, the party’s expected candidate in the 2028 presidential election, was detained in March, triggering nationwide protests.
While European institutions and human rights organizations have expressed concern, Özel said their statements have lacked the strength needed to deter Erdoğan’s actions. “European leaders continue to treat Erdoğan as irreplaceable,” he said. “He uses this perception to tighten his grip at home.”
Özel also criticized Erdoğan’s use of migration as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the EU. Since the 2016 migration deal, Erdoğan has repeatedly threatened to allow refugees to enter Europe if his demands—ranging from financial assistance to political concessions—are not met. Rights groups have accused Ankara of exploiting vulnerable populations for political leverage.
“Turkey is more than Erdoğan’s government,” Özel said. “The CHP now leads in public support and represents the country’s democratic future. Our people still look to Europe—not for deals, but for values like democracy and the rule of law.”
Calling for a reset in EU–Turkey relations, Özel urged European leaders to engage more directly with Turkey’s democratic institutions and civil society, warning that continued silence would only strengthen authoritarianism.
