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Erdoğan slams opposition for violence amid Istanbul mayor protests

24 March 2025 19:46 (UTC +04:00)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing it of inciting violence and destabilizing the country through protests over the legal troubles of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, APA reports citing Daily Sabah.

Erdoğan dismissed the demonstrations as an orchestrated show, vowing that those responsible would ultimately face justice and regret their actions.

“The opposition’s performance will eventually come to an end, and they will feel ashamed of the damage they have done to our country,” Erdoğan declared in a televised address.

Erdoğan placed the blame squarely on the opposition, particularly the Republican People's Party (CHP), holding them responsible for attacks on police officers and destruction of public and private property.

“This movement has evolved into pure violence,” he said. “Those who instigated this chaos will be held accountable.”

Erdoğan suggested that Türkiye’s progress in eliminating terrorism has left the opposition scrambling for relevance.

“As we move closer to a terror-free Türkiye, those who have long exploited such issues are resorting to desperate outbursts,” he claimed.

He accused CHP leaders of hypocrisy, pointing to internal divisions within the party. “As their former chairman once put it so well, the opposition is best at devouring itself.”