CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke at the ceremony held at Armistice Square for the 104th anniversary of the Mudanya Armistice. Özel stated that Mudanya is not only the site of an agreement signed after a military victory, but also a historical turning point where Turkey’s will for independence was accepted at the diplomatic table.
The ceremony was also attended by former Deputy Prime Minister Murat Karayalçın and Özden Toker, daughter of the 2nd President İsmet İnönü and President of the İnönü Foundation. In his speech, Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç stated that Mudanya’s name went down in history with the negotiations that led from war to peace, and commemorated Atatürk, İnönü, and those who contributed to the struggle for independence.
BALLOT BOX MESSAGE FROM MUDANYA
In his speech, Özel emphasized that the Mudanya Armistice, signed on October 11, 1922, was a decisive step on the path to the Republic. Reminding that Eastern Thrace was transferred to Turkey without the need for a new war, Özel stated that Mudanya is the place where “the guns fell silent” and the nation’s will was accepted by the world.
Touching upon İsmet İnönü’s diplomatic role from Mudanya to Lausanne, Özel said that İnönü went down in history not only as a soldier but also as a statesman who defended Turkey’s struggle for independence at the table. Drawing attention to İnönü’s role in the transition to multi-party life, Özel recounted his description of the 1950 election defeat as an “honor” as an important example for democracy.
Being a democrat is not determined on the evening you win an election. You will look at who is a democrat on the evening they lose the election.
Stating that İnönü’s approach to election results remains a measure of democracy today, Özel said that they recognize no power above the national will. At the end of his speech, he used the following expressions: “This nation did not bow its head on the front, did not bow it at the table, and has not surrendered the will that emerged from the ballot box to anyone, and it will not do so from now on.”
At the ceremony, the 2026 Peace Path Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Mehmet Haberal. Receiving the award from Özel, Haberal stated in his thank-you speech that knowing history is important for contributing to the future, and said that serving Turkey is everyone’s primary duty.
News Source: 12punto
