Turkish opposition leader criticizes von der Leyen over Libya memorandum

On October 21, 2026, Ozgur Ozel, leader of the Turkish main opposition party (CHP), publicly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The criticism followed von der Leyen's comments opposing the approval of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum by the Libyan House of Representatives.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Ozel described von der Leyen's position as arrogant and biased. He argued that Turkey and Libya are sovereign states whose bilateral agreements, based on mutual rights and interests, cannot be disregarded for political reasons. Ozel explicitly rejected the European Commission President's stance, urging her to promote peace in the Mediterranean by adhering to international law rather than taking sides. He emphasized that the rights and interests of Turkey remain a priority that transcends domestic political divisions.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding Mediterranean maritime boundaries. The Turkish opposition leader reiterated his commitment to defending national interests on all platforms, rejecting what he perceives as a lack of impartiality from the European Union leadership.