Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, in his speech during the celebrations of the Republic Day on October 29, expressed that the country’s current political regime is in crisis. İmamoğlu stated, “Unfortunately, our democratic republic is in crisis. The main reason for this is that we have been facing a top-down regime since 2016 that does not align with Türkiye’s history and democratic experience. This system, imposed on Türkiye through a questionable referendum, represents a negative deviation in our country’s strong historical journey.”
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu spoke at the Republic Day celebrations held in Yenikapı on October 29.
Our democratic republic is unfortunately in crisis. The main reason for this is that we have been facing a top-down regime for about eight years, since 2016, that does not align with Türkiye’s history and democratic experience. This system, imposed on Türkiye through a questionable referendum, represents a negative deviation in our country’s strong historical journey.
This system that has been imposed on us abolishes and rejects the principle of separation of powers, which is our most important value. It belittles the Parliament, the people’s Assembly, disregards the will of the nation, and turns the justice institutions into tools of politics.
And especially dear young people, this concerns you: it fundamentally undermines the principle of meritocracy, which is the foundation of the Republic. Every young person in this country should be able to say, ‘If I work hard, I should be able to receive what I deserve.’ But they have eliminated this, and we will bring it back! We will restore meritocracy and the rights of the children of the nation.”
“It’s time to break free from the actors of the old era.”
“We have embarked on a journey to end this historical deviation by returning to the values established by Atatürk for the reunion of our Republic. As we set out, we placed our trust in you, especially in the youth. We will achieve this together! We are on the brink of a new historical turning point. They have caused enough damage; their time is over, and it is time to rid ourselves of the actors of the old era. We must leave behind this zigzag-filled period and clear away the rubble.”