The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), founded on August 14, 2001 under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is celebrating its 23rd anniversary on Wednesday with events at its headquarters and in all 81 provinces.
Since its founding, the AK Party has consistently been the leading party in Turkish parliamentary elections and is the party that has been in power the longest since the beginning of the multi-party system in 1946.
Founding, early success
The AK Party entered Turkish politics as the 39th party. Its founding came with Erdogan’s declaration that “nothing will be the same in Turkey”.
Erdogan was unanimously elected party leader on August 16, 2001. The party’s political career includes four prime ministers and two presidents and is characterized by numerous electoral victories.
Election successes
In the parliamentary elections 15 months after its founding, the AK Party secured 34.28% of the vote and thus formed the 58th government of the republic under Abdullah Gül – despite Erdogan’s political ban.
The party faced its first major test in the 2004 local elections: it won 41.7% of the vote in 1,950 municipalities.
The AK Party maintained its dominance with 46.58% of the vote in the 2007 parliamentary elections and also took the lead in the 2009 local elections. This makes it the party that has been in power the longest since the beginning of the multi-party system in Turkey.
Coup attempt of July 15
On July 15, 2016, Turkey experienced its bloodiest coup attempt by the Gülen terrorist group (FETÖ). Citizens responded to President Erdogan’s call to defend democracy, stood up against tanks and foiled the coup.
Following this event, the AK Party and the nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) founded the People’s Alliance.
On April 16, 2017, the AK Party initiated an important constitutional amendment via referendum.
Constitutional amendment
The process began on December 10, 2016, when a proposal signed by 316 AK Party members, including then Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, was submitted to the Turkish Parliament. After approval on February 10, 2017, President Erdogan signed the amendment into law, after which a public vote was held.
The referendum ended with a narrow majority of 51.41% in favor and 48.59% in favor.
The amendment removed the clause requiring the president to sever ties with the party, allowing Erdogan to rejoin the AK Party and transition to the presidential government system.
After a 979-day absence following the 2014 presidential elections, President Erdogan officially rejoined the AK Party by signing his declaration of membership and reaffirming his role within the party.
Test for AK Party: March 31
On October 7, 2023, the AK Party held its 4th Extraordinary Congress and re-elected Erdogan as party chairman with all 1,399 valid votes. The new Central Decision-Making and Administrative Council has 49 new names, and 14 of the 18 members of the Central Executive Council retained their positions.
In the local elections held on March 31, 2024, the AK Party won 24 provinces and 357 district municipalities with 35.49% of the vote. President Erdogan stressed that based on the election results, the necessary steps must be taken that would lead to a renewal process within the party, including changes in the provincial and district heads in several regions.
AK Party announces changes in opposition parties
The ruling AK Party will reportedly unveil new members who have resigned from the opposition Future Party and the Good Party as part of its 23rd anniversary celebrations, seeking to consolidate its position as the leading force of the centre-right and regain its moral superiority.
“There will be AK Party participation at the level of MPs and mayors,” said AK Party deputy chairman Hamza Dag.
Expected new members
- Bilal Biliciwho left the Good Party one year after his election as MP for Adana, is expected to join the AK Party.
- Seyithan Izsizwho left the Good Party and became an independent MP, is also expected to join the AK Party on August 14.
- Ahmet Ersagun Yucela founding member of the Good Party who resigned on July 22, 2024, is also expected to join the AK Party.
Future party transitions
In addition, there are reports of possible defections from the Future Party to the AK Party. Journalist İsmail Saymaz has suggested that Selim Temurci, Nedim Yamalİ and Isa Mesih Sahin – all Future Party MPs – could defect to the AK Party during the event.
