CHP CHAIRPERSON AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE KEMAL KILIÇDAROĞLU ADDRESSED YOUNG PEOPLE: "ARE YOU READY TO TEAR DOWN THIS DIVISIVE SYSTEM?"

CHP Chairperson and Nation Alliance Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu addressed young people this evening with a video he shared on his social media account.

CHP Chairperson and Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said, "There is a verge in front of us as a country, and we need you to overcome this verge together. Remember, with a single vote, you will drag this country out of the painful sectarian debates, out of the Middle East, which has been turned into a quagmire, and carry it to where it belongs. We will no longer talk about identities; we will talk about achievements. We will no longer talk about divisions and differences; we will talk about our commonalities and our common dreams. Will you join this campaign of change? Will you stand with me in this change? Will you say to this system that says 'No Alawites', 'The right, honest and moral ones will do'? Will you give me one last hand? Are you ready to destroy this divisive system from its roots?"

CHP leader and Presidential Candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu addressed the youth as follows in the video he shared with the note " Alawite" and said, "I believe that you will not waste a single vote at such a vital verge, I trust you wholeheartedly":

"Dear young people, dear young people who will vote for the first time in this election, it is time to talk to you tonight on an exceptional, very sensitive issue.

Do you see, young people, do you hear? These are the sounds of a new life about to begin in Turkey. We are standing right on the edge of the world. Either we will cross this verge, take our rightful place in the world, and become honourable citizens of a happy and strong country, or we will be left only to gaze longingly at the world outside.

My dear children who will cast their first vote, I am an Alawite, I am a sincere Muslim raised with the belief of Haqq - Muhammad - Ali, I have a life given to me by God, I do not commit unrighteousness, I do not do unfair, I do not encroach to state treasury. I was born in a poor house far away from everything in this beautiful country that Atatürk gave us as a gift. Thanks to the opportunities given to us by the Republic, I was able to educate myself, have a profession and raise my family. Our identities are the assets that make us who we are; of course, we must protect them with honour. We cannot choose them; we are born, grow and live with them. But there are important things we can choose in life. We can choose to be a good person, to be honest, moral, conscientious, virtuous and just. We can choose to live a better life in a free and prosperous country. And these choices can rapidly change both us and the society we live in.

My dear young friend, there is a verge in front of us as a country, and we need you to overcome this verge together. Remember, with a single vote, you will drag this country out of the painful sectarian debates, out of the Middle East, which has been turned into a quagmire, and carry it to where it belongs. We will no longer talk about identities; we will talk about achievements. We will no longer talk about divisions and differences; we will speak of our commonality and our common dreams. Will you join this campaign for this change? Will you stand with me in this change? Will you say to this system that says 'No Alawites', 'The right, honest and moral ones will do'? Will you give me one last hand? Are you ready to destroy this divisive system from its roots?

Come, young people, let's cross this verge together. You will not waste a vote at such a vital juncture, and I trust you wholeheartedly.

I kiss on the foreheads, dear young people."