Turkey marks 88th Republic Day mourning earthquake's victims

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has ordered the nationwide cancellation of today’s parades and receptions to mark the 88th birthday of the Turkish Republic following the earthquake in Van that claimed more than 500 lives, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

In a circular published in the Official Gazette yesterday, Erdoğan asked the public authorities to mark Republic Day only with “wreath-laying and greeting ceremonies, and not hold other celebratory events such as parades and receptions.”

President Abdullah Gül this week was the first to announce the cancellation of a traditional Republic Day reception at the Çankaya Palace.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), meanwhile, criticized the Prime Ministry’s decision to cancel parades, accusing the government of being unable to understand the Republic and its values. “The Republic symbolizes the unity in the good times and bad times,” CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said in a written statement.

Meanwhile, Kılıçdaroğlu ordered his lawmakers to stay in the disaster area to monitor and help the relief efforts and provide regular information to him about any shortcomings in the relief effort.