AK Party Marks 24 Years in Turkish Politics with Renewed Vision and Nationwide Campaign
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), founded on August 14, 2001, under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has celebrated its 24th anniversary, marking more than two decades of uninterrupted success in Turkish politics.
Speaking at a press briefing on the occasion, AK Party Deputy Chairperson Faruk Acar announced that new members would join the party during the anniversary celebrations. He underlined that, despite being 24 years old, the party remains dynamic and steadfast in its vision and mission.
Acar described the AK Party as “more than a political organisation, but a popular movement,” adding that it draws its strength from the streets and the support of the people. “For the first time in our 25th year, we will enter a one-year campaign period. The purpose of this campaign, which starts tomorrow, is to share with our nation and remind them of what a party that has been around for over a quarter-century has accomplished over the past 25 years, where it has impacted Türkiye and the millions of works and projects it has developed,” he said.
Established when Erdogan was serving as mayor of Istanbul, the AK Party made a strong debut in the November 3, 2002 general elections, winning two-thirds of the parliamentary seats — the first outright majority in over a decade. Erdogan became Prime Minister in 2003 and has served as President since 2014.
Over the past 24 years, the AK Party has participated in seven general elections — 2002, 2007, 2011, 2015, snap elections in November 2015, 2018, and most recently in May 2023 — securing victory in each contest.
Under Erdogan’s leadership, Türkiye has pursued a multidirectional and proactive foreign policy, strengthening ties with European, Turkic, and Muslim nations while enhancing cooperation with global actors. This approach has elevated Türkiye’s standing on the international stage, enabling it to contribute to global problem-solving and assume a significant role in international organisations.
