Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stated on Sunday that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan should “apologize to people” for his handling of the Gezi Park issue, which has led to dozens of continuing protests across the country.

According to Kılıçdaroğlu, the riots are the outcome of people's reaction towards the “oppression” of Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The CHP leader said Erdoğan should not underestimate this reaction, adding, “Turkey is not the Turkey that Erdoğan knows.”

Kılıçdaroğlu said the Taksim protests are not organized by the CHP and that he participated in the demonstrations as an ordinary citizen.

Furthermore, while commenting on violent marginal groups' attacks on members of the press, Kılıçdaroğlu said he agrees with protesters that media outlets are not fully covering the Taksim events but added that journalists are not the ones to blame.

Cihan