Erdoğan had said it should be a 'national holiday', but it was rejected by AKP and MHP votes

Gelecek Party Istanbul Deputy İsa Mesih Şahin's legislative proposal to declare Nevruz a national holiday was brought to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly. The deliberations were conducted in accordance with Article 37 of the Parliament's Internal Regulations, followed by a vote. It was notable that the issue was rejected, despite AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan having previously given positive messages on the subject.

At the beginning of his speech, Şahin commemorated the soldiers who were martyred due to the methane gas disaster in the Claw-Lock Operation region, stating, "Turkey is passing through a historic threshold in the name of national unity and brotherhood. I submitted this legislative proposal to Parliament to offer a symbolic contribution to this brotherhood."

"NEVRUZ IS A SYMBOL OF PEACE AND BROTHERHOOD"

Drawing attention to the cultural heritage of the day with the words, "Nevruz is our common culture extending from Turkestan to Anatolia, from Mesopotamia to Rumelia," Şahin stated that gaining official holiday status would contribute to the unity of society. Stating that he expected the support of all political parties, Şahin reminded that President Erdoğan had also made a call in this direction.

Another prominent topic in Şahin's speech was the message of a "Turkey without terrorism." Expressing that Turkey has entered a period that prioritizes peace, Şahin said, "Today, Turkey is opening the door to a future without terrorism, to a climate where words, not weapons, speak."

Continuing his remarks by saying, "We believe that a common will for peace and a permanent climate of brotherhood will be born again in these lands. Declaring Nevruz an official holiday is a symbol of this will," Şahin expressed that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but also meeting on a common vision for the future. He called on all deputies to support this proposal, which would bring the public even closer together.

However, the proposal in question was not accepted due to the rejection votes of the AKP and MHP groups.

ERDOĞAN HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE A STATEMENT

In a speech he gave at an event he attended in Istanbul on March 21, Erdoğan had expressed that Nevruz could be declared an official holiday and had used the words, "Let us take this step together as the People's Alliance."