CHP leader: This is a new Turkey after plot

ISTANBUL

L to R: MHP leader Bahçeli, Parliament Speaker Kahraman, CHP leader Kılıçdaorğlu, PM Yıldırım and President Erdoğan share a moment before the historic democracy meeting in Istanbul on Aug 7.

The leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, said while addressing the democracy rally in Istanbul on Aug. 7 that defeating the July 15 coup attempt marked a new beginning for the country. 

“There is a new Turkey now,” he said, noting that July 15 has opened a door of consensus for Turkey and all political party leaders should learn lessons from the coup attempt.

“That includes me,” he added.

Kılıçdaorğlu also read out a 12 article list similar to the one he read out at the democracy rally in Istanbul on July 24, including emphasis on the republic and democracy, equality against law, importance of parliamentary system, independence of law and independent media.
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If there wasn’t a republic, Erdoğan wouldn’t be the president. Yıldırım wouldn’t be the prime minister. Kahraman wouldn’t be parliamentary speaker. I wouldn’t be the leader of CHP,” he also said.

Kılıçdaroğlu also mentioned secularism in his speech, saying that the failed takeover showed the importance of it.

“We need to contribute to the strengthening of democracy,” he said, as he added that an educational system based on questioning should be brought to life.

 “Politics should be left out of mosques, barracks, courthouses,” he said.        

Kılıçdaroğlu stressed the importance of assigning people to jobs regarding their qualification.