Kılıçdaroğlu attends the Republic's 100th anniversary reception

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu attended the 100th-anniversary reception organized by the CHP at a hotel in Ankara.

Kılıçdaroğlu was accompanied by ambassadors, foreign mission chiefs, Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, and party deputies. The reception began with the screening of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic short film.

''THE REPUBLIC IS THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT STEP ON THE PATH TO DEMOCRACY''

Taking the stage afterward, Kılıçdaroğlu reminded the audience that the Republic, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, has reached its 100th year, stating: "We are on the eve of the second century. I feel an indescribable happiness to be living through this auspicious day, and moreover, to see this day as the chairman of the Republican People's Party, one of the two great works of the Republic. The Great Atatürk, who founded the Republic, gave the most beautiful definition of what the Republic means. Atatürk says, 'The Republic is, above all, the protector of the forsaken.' Because the Republic is the path to working together and rising together. Because the Republic is equality, freedom, and therefore justice. The Republic is science, reason, and modernity. The Republic is the first and most important step on the path to democracy." he said.

HE EMPHASIZED ATATÜRK'S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Noting that the Republic was not an idea found overnight, Kılıçdaroğlu said: "It is a goal achieved stitch by stitch, by paying a price. At the same time, the Republic is also a youth dream of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Note that I say 'my youth dream.' We all know the words of the Great Atatürk on the evening of October 28, 1923: 'Gentlemen, tomorrow we will proclaim the Republic.' This statement is true, and it was carried out. However, behind these words lies a struggle that lasted for years, labor that lasted for years, and a philosophy that lasted for years. Atatürk's goal of a Republic began with a meeting he held with his friends in Thessaloniki, where he had come secretly from his post in Damascus in 1906. Hüsrev Sami Kızıldoğan wrote down the details of this secret meeting in his article titled 'Homeland and Freedom: Committee of Union and Progress.' At the meeting, Atatürk spoke of the 'Homeland and Freedom Society' he had founded during his duty in Damascus. He described his ultimate goal as 'making the nation sovereign.' Look; in 1906, 25-year-old Mustafa Kemal described his ultimate goal as 'making the nation sovereign.' That night, after Atatürk finished his words, he turned to Hüsrev Sami Bey and asked him to place his pistol on the table. Hüsrev Sami Bey describes that moment as follows: 'I placed my Browning pistol on the table. We all placed our hands on this pistol and swore an oath that we would work for this sacred cause until we die.' Thus, Mustafa Kemal and his friends made their belief in national sovereignty permanent with an oath. And do not forget, this oath later took shape with the principle, 'Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation.' This life journey is the story of an unwavering belief and a determined struggle of a 25-year-old young officer who loved his country and his nation, and who believed in the sovereignty of the people. The most beautiful gift a leader who achieved everything for his nation and together with his nation could leave to his country is an independent Republic." he said.

''WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP''

Stating that they are together 100 years later with a new mission and goal in the direction drawn by the Great Leader Atatürk and his comrades, Kılıçdaroğlu said: "They built the Republic they dreamed of. The duty that falls to us is to crown our beautiful Republic with complete democracy. Because Mustafa Kemal says, 'The Republic is the most complete and distinct form of government for democracy.' We will work and strive for democracy to be complete and distinct. My dear friends, you..."