Kilicdaroglu was re-elected chairman of the party, running unopposed and winning 1,251 out of 1,318 votes in the party's 37th convention on Saturday.

"We have all signed the same declaration as we enter (Turkey's) second century," Kilicdaroglu said in his speech after the re-election. "By signing this declaration, we have taken on a historic responsibility."

"We will crown our republic with democracy on its centenary," he added, promising to win the general elections scheduled for 2023.

Kilicdaroglu repeated CHP's plans for peace in the Middle East, based on "family ties", joint history and common culture Turkey's citizens have with Iran, Iraq and Syria.

In his opening speech on Saturday morning, Kilicdaroglu announced a 13-point declaration to serve as a roadmap to winning elections and coming to power.

In the declaration, titled “Call to the Second Century,’’ Kılıçdaroğlu said the CHP vowed to achieve peace in the country and resolve the country’s issues, “including the Kurdish issue, on the basis of democracy and under the lead of Parliament.”

The convention started on Saturday morning, and continues at the time this article was published with speeches from provincial delegates.

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have ruled Turkey for 18 years, “but nobody in Parliament knows where the 2.4 trillion liras ($350 billion) they spent went,” Kilicdaroglu said, criticizing Erdogan’s privatization-based economic policies.

“The foundation of our social peace has been blown to bits,” the CHP leader said. “The government is polarizing society and building its policies on that foundation.”

Kilicdaroglu called for cooperation with “friends,” and the Millet (“Nation”) Alliance, made up of three center-right opposition parties alongside the center-left CHP.

Reporter’s code: 50101