Children 'Rule' Turkey for One Day, Take Action to Protect Animals

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Turkey observes the Children's Day on every April 23, the anniversary of the foundation of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in 1920.

As part of the celebrations, children "take office" at the public institutions such as presidency, ministries and mayorships for one day.

This year's "president" was Ozan Sözeyataroğlu, a 12-year-old who plays the piano and the baglama (a Turkish folk music instrument).

Journalists directed questions at Sözeyataroğlu on the recent happenings in the country. When asked about the reports on mistreatment against street animals, he said, "I am not happy at all about this topic. We will do the necessary works with our ministers."

"Mr. President said what I was going to say"

Responding to a question whether he will make changes in his cabinet, the child president said, "My new cabinet is already here. This is our first day anyway. We don't have a problem that cannot be solved."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sitting next to him, joined the talk, saying, "Mr. President said almost what I was going to say."

The 12-year-old were also asked questions about the controversial topics, such as the İstanbul local elections and the attack on main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

"I don't have information on this topic, April 23 is the only thing on our agenda," he dodged the question on the elections. On the attack against Kılıçdaroğlu, he said, "I don't have his number, hence I won't be able to call him. We are against all kinds of violence."

Protecting animals is on the agenda

İstanbul's newly-elected mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu handed his post to 11-year-old Halil Efe Kaya for the celebrations.

Kaya said that they will be sensitive to environmental cleaning and will establish culture and arts centers across the city.

Then calling his executive assistant, he asked the report on the parks that are planned to built in the district of Eyüpsultan.

When the journalists asked what is the first thing he will do as the mayor, he replied, "There is a demolition order for a school in Eyüpsultan. We want to contribute to the construction of this school."

İn Bayraklı, İzmir, the one-day mayor Serdar Sandal said that he banned camel wrestling because "it is torment for them."

"Maybe I will be a citizen of Germany"

On NTV channel's April 23 broadcast, a child said he may be a citizen of Germany when asked about her "academic dream."

"I want to study medicine at the Germany University of Cologne. Maybe I will be a citizen of Germany after that," the girl said, which made her a trending topic on social media. (AÖ/VK)