In his written statement about the ongoing forest fires, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel harshly criticized the government regarding both budget management and crisis management. Özel said, "The crisis we are experiencing is a crisis of statelessness that does not side with the nation".

“160 billion dollars was spent on lots, not fire planes”

Özel argued that the 160 billion dollar reserve used to suppress foreign currency after the March 19 operation means the resource to buy the world's best 3000 firefighting aircraft. He stated that this choice was the result of an understanding that prioritized the security of the palace, not the public.

The losses of the General Directorate of Forestry attracted attention

In his statement, Özel stated that there has been a decrease of 2300 people in the number of personnel of the General Directorate of Forestry since 2022’, and said that the institution's staff of 29 thousand people is vacant and forest workers are sent to fight with insufficient equipment.

reminding that only 38 percent of the 32.5 billion lira allocation allocated for “forest protection” in the 2025 budget was used in the first 6 months, Özel argued that the government spends resources on interest, not forest.

“The state stands against the nation”

Özel claimed that the state did not fulfill its primary duty in all disasters, from earthquakes to forest fires, and stated that the government refrained from assuming responsibility. “When the nation, caught between flames in a fire and debris in an earthquake, seeks its rights, it finds the state” he said.

Thank you to municipalities, call to power

Emphasizing that all municipalities were mobilized, Özgür Özel thanked the personnel who took part in the struggle and wished mercy to those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured.