Özgür Özel, leader of Türkiye's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), has called for a boycott of several companies, including ETS, a travel company owned by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy.
Mass protests have been taking place across Türkiye following a recent operation targeting Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, which led to the detention and arrest of multiple individuals, including Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. During the sixth mass rally in Istanbul's Saraçhane district, Özel made a strong call for a boycott.
Call for boycott of pro-government institutions and companies
Speaking at the rally, Özel urged citizens to boycott government-aligned institutions and businesses. Initially calling for a boycott of television channels that ignored the protests, he later expanded his appeal to include pro-government brands.
Özel: "Our biggest target is Ersoy"
During his speech, Özel specifically criticized Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy, referring to a fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya. He accused Ersoy of negligence in overseeing safety inspections and failing to take responsibility.
"Holiday season is coming. Do not book your flights through ETS, do not buy your bus tickets from ETS, and do not stay at hotels affiliated with ETS. We will not stop until ETS is buried into the ground," Özel declared.
Expanded Boycott List
Özel extended the boycott call to include several businesses and brands, urging citizens to avoid them:
* Espressolab: "Drink whatever coffee you like—Turkish coffee, filter coffee—but do not buy from Espressolab!"
* D&R and İdefix: "When buying books, avoid D&R and İdefix."
* Demirören Group: "Do not shop at Demirören Shopping Mall. Cross the street instead."
* Kilim Mobilya: "They make money from you but serve the government. Do not bring Kilim Mobilya into your home."
* Fuel and Gas Companies: "There is no such thing as 'Türk Petrol' anymore. Do not buy gas or fuel from Milangaz or Likidgaz."
* Media Outlets: "Do not watch TRT or TGRT. Stay away from media groups that distort the truth."
* Gambling and Lottery Services: "Avoid Milli Piyango, Misli.com, and İddaa.com."
* Özel emphasized that his call to boycott was aimed at businesses, not their employees:
"The workers of these companies are not at fault. We will boycott these businesses, but we will never target their employees. TRT and Anadolu Agency may spread government propaganda, but their workers are our brothers and sisters."
Full boycott list
The companies and brands targeted in Özel's boycott call include:
Espressolab
D&R
İdefix
Kilim Mobilya
İhlas Home Appliances
Milli Piyango
Misli.com
İddaa.com
ETS
Milangaz
Likidgaz
Türk Petrol
Demirören AVM
All TV channels supporting government (NTV, TRT, Anatolian News Agency, TGRT, İhlas, A Haber ATV, Show TV, Kanal D...)
This call for boycott marks a significant escalation in the opposition's response to recent political tensions in Türkiye.