President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara on August 14, 2026, emphasizing the party’s transformative impact on Turkey over the past quarter-century. Speaking at an event held at Capital Nation’s Garden, Erdoğan outlined the AKP’s vision for the next 50 years, highlighting the party’s commitment to sustained growth and stability. The celebration coincided with the anniversary of the AKP’s founding, which took place on the same date in 2001. At the event, Erdoğan presented a 69-page vision document detailing the party’s strategic priorities for the coming decades. The plan covered ten key areas, including high-value production, digital sovereignty, judicial reform, a new constitution, family and social policy, gender equality, youth development, and environmental sustainability. He emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating that they were designed to ensure the AKP could fulfill its promises and continue shaping Turkey’s future. “Guided by the 25th-anniversary vision document we shared today, we will continue to turn dreams into goals and goals into reality,” Erdoğan said. Erdoğan acknowledged the challenges the AKP had faced throughout its 25-year tenure, including legal battles, political unrest, and external threats. He specifically mentioned the party closure case, anti-government protests, judicial investigations, and the failed coup of July 15, 2016. Despite these obstacles, he asserted that the AKP had maintained its course, attributing its resilience to the “People’s Alliance” and what he called a broader “Türkiye consensus.” He also praised the government’s efforts to create a “terror-free Türkiye,” noting that the country was making progress in addressing a longstanding issue that had claimed thousands of lives over several decades. In addition to discussing the party’s historical struggles, Erdoğan reflected on his personal political journey, noting that he had spent 50 years in public service and intended to continue his work. “If God grants me health and a long life, I will continue the struggle to serve Türkiye for many more years,” he said. His remarks underscored his determination to maintain the AKP’s dominance and steer the country toward its stated goals. During the ceremony, three opposition lawmakers and seven mayors officially joined the AKP, symbolizing the party’s ongoing expansion and influence. Erdoğan presented them with party badges, reinforcing the idea of collective effort and shared purpose. The AKP, founded on August 14, 2001, first came to power in the November 2002 general election and has since remained the dominant political force in Turkey. Under Erdoğan’s leadership, the party has implemented sweeping reforms in defense, infrastructure, public services, and social policies. Ministers and political figures also participated in the commemoration, expressing their admiration for Erdoğan’s leadership and the AKP’s contributions to Turkey’s development. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi recalled Erdoğan’s foundational declaration that “Nothing in Türkiye will ever be the same again,” framing the party’s emergence as a turning point in the country’s modern history. Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum echoed similar sentiments, calling the AKP’s formation the start of a movement centered on national values and the pursuit of a stronger Turkey. Political allies, including members of the People’s Alliance, extended their congratulations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving common objectives such as national unity, economic strength, and enhanced defense capabilities. These statements reinforced the AKP’s position as a central pillar of Turkey’s political landscape, with its influence extending beyond mere governance into cultural and societal transformation.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
TR
