Message to youth from Özgür Özel: 'Build your dreams on these lands'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel and Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner met with citizens at the opening of the Youth Center, implemented by the Çankaya Municipality in Ankara as part of the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. In their speeches, both figures drew attention to the importance of youth and the contemporary significance of upholding Republican values.

“YOUTH ARE UPHOLDING ATATÜRK’S LEGACY”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner emphasized the historical significance of May 19, stating, “This date is the day when the nation took ownership of its own destiny and revived its hope for independence on the path that led from rejecting the Treaty of Sèvres to the Treaty of Lausanne following the destruction of war.”

Recalling the youth's resistance against mandates and tutelage, Güner stated, “Just as it was a hundred years ago, today's youth are standing up for democracy and the republic. They are firmly committed to the legacy of the Great Atatürk. Greetings to all our comrades who have paid the price for this cause.”

Referring to the success achieved by the CHP in the March 31 local elections, Güner said, “We send our greetings to all our mayors who are not physically with us, especially our imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. We hope they regain their freedom as soon as possible.”

Touching upon projects aimed at youth, Güner highlighted student-focused services of the Çankaya Municipality such as the night nursery, nutritional support, and the Çankaya Academy, adding, “This youth center we opened today is one of the requirements for Ankara to be a student city, and it is of a quality that will set an example for all of Turkey.”

“THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT OF THIS COUNTRY IS YOUNG PEOPLE DREAMING IN OTHER COUNTRIES”

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, in his speech, drew attention to the fundamental dilemma faced by young people in Turkey. “Today, young people will either stay in this country and fight, or they will fall into despair and seek a future abroad. This is a real existential threat,” he said.

Describing the disappointment experienced after the 2023 elections as an “emotional rupture,” Özel pointed to the change movement initiated within the party following this process. “The Change Congress we held on November 5 was not just a change of direction; it was the beginning of a political understanding that listens to the demands of the youth, women, and the people,” he said.

“POLITICS CAN TOLERATE FAILURE BUT NOT A LACK OF SELF-CRITICISM”

Emphasizing the importance of moving from rhetoric to action in the CHP's transformation process, Özel said, “We managed this process together with young people who love this country, grew up with a culture of criticism, and were kneaded with the love of Atatürk. We were expecting the change in discourse to be reflected in action; we achieved this.”

Özel stated that they are following in the footsteps of the Republic's founding cadres, adding, “Trusting in youth, women, and science is the key to the path we are walking.” He reminded that they provided equal representation in the shadow cabinet with 9 women and 9 men, and nominated 9 female mayoral candidates.

“I AM PROUD OF THE MAYORS WHO CAME FROM THE YOUTH WINGS”

Expressing his pride in those who rose to the position of mayor after growing up in the youth wings, Özel specifically mentioned Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner and said:

“I have a long-standing relationship with Hüseyin Can Güner. We knew he would fulfill this duty properly with his life story, professional background, and sensitivity to the expectations of the youth. He kept his promise today and brought this youth center to life. Seeing this center, I envied it, thinking, ‘I wish we had such an opportunity in our youth.’ I have no doubt that he will multiply these projects.”

“WE WILL TRANSFORM TURKEY INTO A COUNTRY WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE”

Özgür Özel stated that the fact that the majority of young people want to live abroad is Turkey's biggest existential threat, saying, “The survival of a country is not threatened by other countries making plans over it, but by that country's youth dreaming in other countries. We will carry these dreams to the borders of the National Pact (Misak-ı Milli).”

Stating, “By completing the full membership process of the European Union, we promise young people a visa-free life and a Turkey where freedoms are experienced,” Özel expressed that they are fighting for a country where social and class justice is ensured and dreams are not broken.

“SINCE MARCH 19, THE YOUTH HAVE RISEN UP”

Saying that young people are resisting concert bans and interventions in their lifestyles, Özel said, “The youth have risen up again against the authoritarianism of this government. I congratulate the university youth and their courage.” The CHP leader concluded his words with the following sentences:

“This country has seen what one-man rule has done to Istanbul, Ankara, and Turkey. Now is the time to rise up together. Young people do not want to leave this country, they want to rebuild it. Our debt to them is to build a Turkey where they can dream.”