İmamoğlu's words at Yenikapı stirred the backstage: He effectively announced his candidacy for president.

The President of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Ekrem İmamoğlu, celebrated the 101st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey together with citizens at Yenikapı, meeting with participants, mostly young people.

STRIKING WORDS FROM İMAMOĞLU

In his speech, IBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu stated, "If we are to establish the sovereignty of the nation, we cannot leave citizens in poverty and unemployment, at the mercy of the markets and capital. We must make our state responsible for providing legal equality as well as equal opportunities and chances to its citizens. We must make social justice one of the principles of the state. We must establish a social state structure where everyone is equal. In the second century of our Republic, just as our Ancestor envisioned; we are faced with the task of building a strong and prosperous country based on freedom, equality, and justice.

We celebrate the Republic Day with enthusiasm. Because we are all ready for this task. Are we not? Are the children of the Republic ready? You know that you are the owners of the Republic, this state, this nation, these beloved lands, this homeland. Because we are a nation that knows how to unite in the toughest times and has succeeded in being reborn. We have achieved this many times. Are we ready to be one heart against those politicians who think of nothing but their own seats, who try to separate us by saying 'this, that'? We have succeeded in being one heart. We succeeded yesterday. We can succeed once again. That day has come. From now on, my advice to you is to cleanse your souls.

From now on, we will wake up every morning knowing that we are one day closer to freedom, equality, and justice. From now on, we will wake up every morning knowing that we are one day closer to a new life where we will live like human beings without fear of the future. With this hope, with this belief, we will work harder and we will definitely succeed. I trust you all very much. Each of you should trust yourselves a lot. Because you are the beautiful children of the Republic. You are millions who consider everyone equal and valuable like themselves. You will not take anyone's rights. You will not let anyone take your rights. Isn't that right? The Republic made you the owners of this country, this state. Be aware of your power. Know the value of what you have. Never allow a handful of people to push you aside and manage this country as they see fit. Because every wrong done today jeopardizes your future.

"ARE WE READY?"

For this reason, the Republic does not resemble regimes based on fear and threat. The Republic is the regime of honorable, self-confident, virtuous people. The Republic is our character, our most valuable heritage. This march is the march of the nation. It is the march of our 86 million citizens. This march is our common march. It is the future march that we will do shoulder to shoulder, together, and with faith. Are we ready today, just as we were yesterday? Will we succeed? This holiday is the first holiday of the second century, marking the beginning of a correct process. May your march be bright for your future. I love you all very much. Long live the Republic. Long live Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Long live a fully independent and strong happy Turkey.

Those who declared the Republic on October 29 had a very clear goal. We thank the founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who dedicated his life to this cause - may his soul rest in peace, we are grateful to him - that great leader. Atatürk defined that goal as follows: 'To ensure the highest freedom, the highest equality, and justice in society...' Look, what Atatürk said 100 years ago. The world did not yet know these words. He says, 'Freedom, equality, and justice...' The Republic was established to ensure these at the highest level for everyone.

The Republic is an immense design with historical depth. This immense design, architected by Atatürk, has been shaped by the wars and struggles we fought as a nation, with our common will. It has been shaped by the will of the nation. That is why this design belongs to all of us, to each of us... I am no different from you. You are no different from me. We are equal stakeholders of this country. We are equal. Our rights and laws are the same. The Republic gives this to us. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the one who has brought this to us. That is why it is a very beautiful design.

"WE SHOULD BE PROUD"

Each of us should be proud. Because the Republic in Turkey cannot be thought of separately from democracy. Because Atatürk established it with his nation. The Republic of Turkey is the most organic republic in the world. From the moment our country was founded, it has been built on the integrity of democracy and the republic. The Republic represents not only the state, as is commonly thought, but also us, being together within the same state, with our free will. In other words, we are together. While our state forms the institutional framework of this unity, do you know what our nation creates? It creates its soul. The Republic and democracy can never and will never ensure national unity without the separation of powers. It is the most important element of living and life. In this respect, what does that separation of powers say? The separation of the legislative, executive, and judiciary is the greatest guarantee of our democratic republic. There is no other way. Can all power be in one person's hands? No. If it is, it does not reflect beautifully to the people.

"İMAMOĞLU OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY"

İmamoğlu's words at Yenikapı also stirred political circles. Journalist İsmail Saymaz commented, "Ekrem İmamoğlu officially announced his candidacy for president today with his October 29 speech," while Sözcü TV commentator Altan Sancar evaluated that speech as follows; "Ekrem İmamoğlu announced both his candidacy for president and his paradigm on Republic Day, October 29, 2024. On the morning of May 29, 2023, when he said 'change,' I tweeted, 'İmamoğlu's long journey begins.' The second phase of the journey has begun."