On May 19th, İzmir, and the youth...

On the May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, all eyes and ears were on İzmir. 

While the excitement of the rally was felt in the streets and districts of İzmir days in advance, the lights in the district headquarters of the Republican People's Party (CHP) remained on until the middle of the night. 

The people of İzmir, who defended democracy with such great enthusiasm, flocked to Gündoğdu Square at 19:19 on May 19th. 

While it was pouring rain in Istanbul, flowers were blooming in the mountains of İzmir on May 19th. 

My beautiful İzmir, where we settled through the population exchange when the Republic was proclaimed in 1923, was showing off with the mildest weather possible, its democratic people, and its Kordon painted in red, as if to say, "I am the most beautiful of all..." 

At the eagerly awaited rally, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel responded from İzmir to the reference to the Treaty of Lausanne in the text released by the PKK terrorist organization when laying down arms, which had caused discomfort:

“Mustafa Kemal trusted the nation. And the nation became his companion. And that struggle was crowned with the Treaty of Lausanne. The Republican People's Party is the party of those who tore up the Treaty of Sèvres, who made the Treaty of Lausanne, and who made the seven great powers accept the title deed of a country."

This meaningful emphasis on the Treaty of Lausanne was important for the people of İzmir. It was timely.

Of course, since the date was May 19th, the priority and main theme were based on the youth.

Özel touched upon all the problems of the youth, from their housing issues to youth unemployment reaching 40%, from the high cost of living to persistent inflation, and from freedom of expression to freedom of assembly. Most importantly, he addressed the fact that 7 out of every 10 young people, who have increasingly dreamed of going abroad in recent years, cannot find hope for a future in their own country.

These messages hit the mark, especially at a time when the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has announced the unemployment rates for the first quarter of 2025, 3.5 million young people are sitting at home, and a concept called "home-bound youth" has emerged during the AKP government's tenure.

Furthermore, Özel added regarding youth unemployment: "Europe is worried about this. The rate in Europe is 6 percent. Our rate is 25 percent by the most optimistic calculation."

Yes, unfortunately, another May 19th became a day where we discussed youth unemployment, the limitations on young people exercising their democratic rights, and their hopelessness about the future.

On the other hand, the people of İzmir did their part, as they always do. They made flowers bloom in their mountains. 

But is the political establishment doing its part?

The duty of the political establishment is not only to voice the problems related to the youth but also to become a focal point of interest for them.

Look at the results of the "Youth's Political Preferences Research" announced by Konda Research in March 2024; when young people were asked, "If there were a general parliamentary election, which party would you vote for?", it is seen that 31.2% are undecided. When the rate of young people who say they will not vote (14.9%) is added, we see that the total rate of young people who are distant or detached from political participation is 46.1%. Furthermore, when asked, "What is the reason you are not a member of any social organization?", 48.3% of young people answer, "I am not interested." Almost one in every two young people. It is very clear that just as young people have lost hope for the future, they have also lost hope in politics.

In short, what matters is to understand the youth… 

To understand why they do not trust the political establishment…

To include them in politics and put an end to cronyism and nepotism...

To be a source of hope…