Turkey celebrates 99th anniversary of first parliament

Turkey on Tuesday celebrated the 99th anniversary of the first season of its Grand National Assembly and also National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.

Senior politicians, including Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop, Republican People’s Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu and IYI Party leader Meral Aksener, visited the mausoleum of the republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the capital Ankara.

Turkish National Education Minister Ziya Selcuk poses for a photo with children during his visit at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic during the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Ankara, Turkey on April 23, 2019. The April 23 celebrations focus on children after Ataturk, the first speaker of the parliament, dedicated the day to children as the nation’s future. ( Binnur Ege Gürün – Anadolu Agency )

“Our determination to work continues for our country’s unity and solidarity, and for nation’s peace and welfare,” Sentop wrote in the mausoleum’s memorial book.

Sentop also said the parliament continues to work for Turkey’s development and welfare.

Later, a special session will be held at the parliament, which will be attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and opposition leaders.

The April 23 celebrations focus on children after Ataturk, the first speaker of the parliament, dedicated the day to children as the nation’s future.

The Grand National Assembly met for the first time in Ankara in 1920 during the War of Independence to lay the foundations for an independent, secular and modern republic.