Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus declared that the Turkish people successfully ended the nation's long history of military coups by resisting the defeated attempt on July 15, 2016. Speaking at a ceremony in parliament to mark Democracy and National Unity Day, Kurtulmus described the event as a victory for democracy and the national will.
Reflecting on the country's political history, Kurtulmus noted that Türkiye had suffered through a chain of coups dating back to the late Ottoman period and continuing throughout its republican and multiparty eras. He stated that the nation effectively consigned the tradition of coups to the dustbin of history on the morning of July 15.
Kurtulmus highlighted the collaborative efforts of political leadership, parliament, the public, the media, and mosques in defeating the putschists. He specifically recalled the televised appeal by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which urged citizens to take to the streets, noting that this message was instrumental in encouraging millions to resist. He also paid tribute to lawmakers from across the political spectrum who gathered at the parliament building while it was under attack, describing their presence as a testament to national unity and the strength of democracy.
The Speaker emphasized that the events of that night proved state institutions should never become spheres of influence for any specific group. He further stressed the essential importance of maintaining transparency, strong institutions, the rule of law, and national solidarity to protect the state.
On July 15, 2016, a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces, linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), launched an effort to overthrow the elected government. The plotters bombed parliament and other state institutions while opening fire on civilians, resulting in the deaths of 253 people and leaving thousands wounded.
