Official holiday proposal affecting millions to be presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

Efforts to make March 21, Nevruz Day, an official public holiday, which began following an instruction from AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last year, have reached the completion stage. AKP Deputy Chairman Kürşad Zorlu stated in an announcement in April that the draft had reached its final form and announced that the proposal would be brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

As the Parliament is set to enter its summer recess and the current legislative term nears its end, the pace of certain important legislative proposals has increased. It is stated that legal regulations regarding the 12th Judicial Package, Student Amnesty, and the Income Complementary Family Support System will be submitted to Parliament in June, followed by a recess period of approximately three months. When the new legislative year begins, the proposal to make Nevruz an official public holiday will be among the first agenda items.

Under the current Law on National Holidays and General Vacations, there are 9 official public holiday days in Turkey. These are: New Year's Day (January 1), National Sovereignty and Children's Day (April 23), Labor and Solidarity Day (May 1), Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (May 19), Democracy and National Unity Day (July 15), Victory Day (August 30), and Republic Day (October 29 - 1.5 days). Additionally, 3.5 days are granted for the Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr) and 4.5 days for the Sacrifice Feast (Eid al-Adha) each year.

If the proposal to be submitted when Parliament resumes its work in September is accepted, March 21 Nevruz will be celebrated as an official public holiday starting from 2027, and the total number of official public holiday days will increase from 15.5 to 16.5.

News Source: 12punto