23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day Message of CHP Chairperson and Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the symbol of our national sovereignty and independence, was established on 23 April 1920 under the presidency of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. With this unique will stemming from our War of Independence, our beautiful country has taken its place among the respected countries of the world.

Our Republic is based on a humanitarian philosophy in which all citizens have equal rights and responsibilities, and no one is superior to another. The centre of this philosophy is the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which reflects the mandate of our nation. Therefore, the primary duty of our Parliament is to protect the rights and freedoms of our citizens, to develop the secular, democratic and social state of law and to ensure that our country rises above the level of contemporary civilisation.

Our beloved nation should not doubt that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which broke the chains of bondage and occupation and liberated our people, also has the will to crown our Republic with democracy. If not today, it will be tomorrow.

On 15 May 2023, the spring flowers will bloom throughout our country, and I promise the Republic will be crowned with democracy!

With these feelings and thoughts, I commemorate with respect and mercy the 115 deputies who attended the Grand National Assembly of Turkey opening on 23 April 1920, especially the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the other deputies who participated in the work afterwards. Likewise, I wish God's mercy to our security forces who were martyred in the fight against terrorism and patience with their relatives.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu

CHP Chairperson

Candidate for the 13th President of the Republic of Turkey