Main opposition under fire for lavish Paris Olympics trip amid economic crisis talks
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel (C), Ekrem Imamoglu (R), Mansur Yavas (L) attend the match between the Turkish women's national volleyball team and China at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Paris, France, August 6, 2024. (Photo via Haberturk)
As Türkiye grapples with an economic crisis and discussions on wasteful spending intensity, the main opposition in Türkiye has come under scrutiny for its expenditures.
Although the public criticized even the government’s spending when the economic crisis was affecting everyone, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s CHP) trip to the Paris Olympics sparked reactions.
The spotlight on CHP has grown sharper following the trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside main opposition CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavas and Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Ekrem Imamoglu, leading to widespread criticism.
Costly Paris trip, promotion efforts
The expenditures linked to the Paris trip have drawn particular attention. In an effort to promote Istanbul as a potential host for the 2036 Olympics, IBB rented a residence at the renowned Palais Galliera fashion museum in Paris.
The cost of this event, held to inaugurate the Istanbul House, amounted to €300,000 per day, according to Oda TV. Details regarding other expenses related to the Istanbul House remain undisclosed, fueling further speculation and criticism.
Murat Ongun, one of Imamoglu’s press team members, made a statement following criticism over the Istanbul House expenses on his social media account. Ongun clarified that the weekly rent of the House is €249,000 and all expenses are covered by the unconditional donations of sponsors.
Comparisons with government spending
This spending comes when the opposition has heavily criticized the government for similar expenditures, notably the construction and cost of the Turkish House in New York, which amounted to $291 million.
The high-budget events hosted by IBB, despite its financial debts, have drawn considerable attention and backlash.
Social media reactions, criticism
Funding for the Paris trip, which included Imamoglu, Ozel, Yavas and their entourage, has sparked a significant debate on social media.
Allegations have surfaced that Imamoglu attended the Paris Olympics under an official assignment rather than taking leave from his duties at IBB.
Consequently, he continues to receive his presidential salary during his 10-day absence and is reportedly also receiving an allowance in euros for his assignment abroad.
Famed comedian Sahan Gokbakar added to the criticism, questioning the effectiveness of the opposition’s response to government actions.
“In Türkiye, where you are the main opposition, the government arbitrarily closes Instagram and you say a few words and continue your life… Is this the normalized Türkiye you dream of?” Gokbakar remarked.
Social media users also reacted strongly. Many criticized Imamoglu’s Paris visit, sharing images of traffic congestion and crowded metrobus stops in Istanbul with comments like “Dreams are Paris, reality is Istanbul.”
On the other hand, another social media user reacted to Imamoglu from Istanbul.
“How is Paris, is it beautiful? We can travel 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in 38 minutes in Istanbul!!! Moreover, we turned off the ignition in the same place for half an hour. I wish you could have tidied up these places and left,” the user criticized Imamoglu.
There were also reactions to Ozel on social media. A social media user who reacted to Ozel, who organized a light on-off action for pensioners in the past days, said: “What happened to the actions of turning off and on the lights for pensioners? I guess the actions will continue in the luxury hotels of Paris!”
“All civil servants in Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities are hungry, all civil servants’ rights have been taken away and you have condemned them to hunger,” the user criticized.
Moreover, the “after party” following the opening of the Istanbul House in Paris was also met with a severe reaction.
Social media users criticized the main opposition for its high expenditures amid discussions on the economic crisis.
