A Turkish opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has called for a boycott of goods and services from companies believed to be linked to the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a report by Reuters on Wednesday.
The call for the boycott has expanded to a one-day shopping stop, with some businesses closing in solidarity with those criticizing Erdogan’s actions against Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Turkey’s Trade Minister, Ömer Bolat, has described the boycott calls as a threat to the country’s economic stability, accusing the opposition of trying to undermine the government. Bolat has also called the boycotts an attempt to sabotage the economy, which he claims includes elements of unfair trade and competition.
In an interview with the state-run TV channel TRT, Bolat urged citizens to shop on April 2 instead of boycotting, saying, “I invite our citizens to go shopping on April 2 and beyond.”
Several government ministers and pro-government figures, including former German footballer Mesut Özil, have used the hashtag #BoykotDegilMilliZarar (No Boycott, but National Harm) on social media.
The boycott calls were initiated by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who has supported the recent street protests, the largest in Turkey in a decade.
On Tuesday, the prosecution launched an investigation into those promoting the boycott calls in social and traditional media, citing possible violations of laws against hate speech and incitement to public enmity.