‘We would’ve all been lost’: Main opposition leader Ozel reflects on July 15

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Ozgur Ozel addressed the significance of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day during a live television broadcast, reflecting on the events of the attempted coup.

Ozel criticized those who belittled the events, emphasizing the gravity of the situation, vividly describing the potential catastrophe, stating: “An F-16 pilot targeted the Parliament; had he been slightly off, disaster would have struck – if it had hit there, all MPs would have died.”

It is a formidable shift in party look given that the former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu had used the words “controlled coup” to describe the 15 July coup attempt of 2016.

‘Let’s protect democracy’

He underscored the importance of Parliament, noting that throughout history, coups have targeted this institution.

Ozel recounted the decisive actions taken upon learning that Parliament was under threat, recalling: “As we headed toward Parliament, our mindset was clear: ‘Let’s protect democracy, let’s fulfill our duty.’ Had the coup succeeded, we would have all been lost. But it failed against a resolute democracy bolstered by both the government and the opposition. This sent a message to Türkiye and the world that such attempts would never succeed again.”

‘Everyone played their part’

Emphasizing that some MPs were armed that night he added: “We faced armed intruders, and some MPs were armed, ready to defend democracy. Everyone played their part that night.”

Ozel concluded by reaffirming the enduring legacy of July 15, asserting: “It was a night where democracy triumphed, where Parliament stood strong, and where unity prevailed against tyranny. We must always remember and honor this resilience.”