Tens of thousands of pensioners gathered today at a rally in Ankara organized by the leader of the main opposition People's Republican Party (NRP) Özgür Özel, BTA reported.
The rally in the central Tandogan square was attended by the mayor of Ankara Mansur Yavash, the vice-chairman of the NRP Gamze Taşceyer, leaders of the pensioner branches of the main trade unions DISK and KESK, the Union of Pensioners, the Independent Union of Pensioners, etc.
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A number of boulevards in the area of the event were closed. The "Anadolu/Anatkabir" metro station, where "Tandogan" square is located, was also closed.
Immediately before the start of the rally, the metro stations were overflowing with people, mainly pensioners, the BTA correspondent saw in the Turkish capital.
Tens of thousands arrived for the rally from various districts in Turkey.
In the Tandogan Square area, extremely tight security measures were taken, with two checkpoints before entering the rally area. Heavily armed special security forces personnel were also sent to the area.
In addition to many pensioners, the rally today was attended by young people as well as children – grandchildren of retired employees.
The demonstration, entitled “The Great Rally of Pensioners”, began at 2 p.m. The demonstration was opened with the Turkish national anthem, followed by a speech by the deputy chairperson of the NRP, Gamze Tascher.
Pensioners waving Turkish flags, flags depicting the founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, flags of the People's Republican Party raised various slogans including “Enough already”, “We will not pay the price of the crisis”, “ ;The pensioners are hungry, the people in the palace are overfed“, “No to misery and hunger“, “You stole our lives, our future and our dreams“, “For a normal human life and for rights“. The main demands of pensioners are for more decent pensions against the background of high inflation in Turkey and the devaluation of the national currency.
During his speech today, NRP leader Özgür Özel, who was cheered by the crowd, harshly criticized the government, particularly Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek.
The chairman of the National People's Congress promised to commit to the adoption of a series of measures related to the improvement of the lives of pensioners in Turkey.
Let's pass a law according to which the lowest pension cannot be less than the minimum wage, Yozel said.
He also called for the abolition of co-payments for prescription drugs by pensioners.
Josel also indicated that electricity and natural gas bills should be reduced by 25 to 40 percent.
During the rally, ambulances were called several times because of fainting elderly people. In the afternoon, it became very warm in the Turkish capital, despite the cool weather in the morning. Many of the pensioners at the rally wore hats, others carried umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.
Recently, the leader of the Kemalist formation NRP Yozel announced that from now on the party will organize thematic rallies.
We will take to the streets for all those who have problems, for those who have been harmed. We will fight for their democratic rights in the square, he said.
In January, Yozel met with pensioners at the NRP headquarters in Ankara, where he listened to the problems of pensioners, including their low pensions.
The NRP won the local elections on March 31 in Turkey. It was the first victory for the Kemalist formation since 1977. Many analysts commented that the party's success was partly due to its new chairman Yozel. He was elected the leader of the NRP in November of this year