* Photo: Evrim Aydın / Anadolu Agency (AA) - Ankara
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Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu spoke at the Parliamentary group meeting of his party today (June 1).
Referring to the statements of Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, the main opposition leader said, "If you govern the state with this mentality, you hand over the country to the mafia and terrorist organizations. Soylu is seeking his seat and Erdoğan has to protect Soylu."
Amid the recent debates on "mafia-state relations" sparked by the statements of crime group leader Sedat Peker, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu reiterated his call for a snap election, asking: "Where does the mafia derive its power? The answer is simple: By taking over political authority."
Kılıçdaroğlu said, "When you take the ones governing the state under control, you start to govern the state."
"The netherworld governs the ones who govern the state. 83 million people lend an ear to what a leader from the netherworld says. Is such a picture worthy of the Republic of Turkey? Who has turned the country into such a place," protested CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu further.
"This government is the most incompetent and narrow-minded government in the history of the Republic of Turkey. This government is a government which has been intertwined with illegal organizations.
"This government is a government which places serious burdens on our shoulders. So, we need to have snap elections as soon as possible.
"People need peace. People need peace, not fight. Peace and abundance must prevail in every household," Kılıçdaroğlu said.
"Turkey does not need politicians feeding on the mafia. Turkey needs a politician who respects the treasury of the state and protects the rights of the poor orphans," the CHP Chair indicated further.
Referring to President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said, "Erdoğan is running for a place to hide, from whom are you running? Is the nation, the people something to run away from?"
"You have your palaces, you have your gangs, your trolls and servants. You are running the Republic of Turkey like a farm. You give whatever tender to whomever you like, you recognize no law. When we say, 'Okay, let's bring in the ballot box', you run for a place to hide.
"Why are you running? The nation does not want you. You have ruined the country; you have devastated it. Conceited people get well above themselves," he said, telling Erdoğan, "You cannot escape from the nation." (AS/SD)