The most important figure in Turkish politics, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took office after a remarkable political career and was elected president for the third consecutive term on May 28.
Erdoğan, born in Istanbul on February 26, 1954, began his political journey in the 1970s as a member of the Islamist Welfare Party (RP). Over the long term, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demonstrated his abilities as a charismatic and influential leader and espoused an Islamist ideology that is one of the major reasons for his immense popularity.
When Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected mayor of Istanbul in 1994, he successfully implemented various municipal reforms, which earned him considerable popularity among the residents of the historic city. However, in 1998 he faced legal challenges over his religiously charged speech, leading to the temporary removal of Recep Erdogan from office and a brief prison sentence.
After his release, Recep Tayyip Erdogan co-founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001, which emerged as a dominant force in Turkish politics. In 2002, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party, the AKP, won a landslide victory in the general election and elevated Erdogan to the position of prime minister.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and implemented a number of reforms that helped modernize Turkey’s economy, infrastructure, and public services.
Then in 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan won Turkey’s first direct presidential election, a clear signal of the transition from a parliamentary system to a presidential system. After the presidency in 2014, President Erdogan was re-elected in 2019 and now in 2023, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will serve his country Turkey as the president for the third time.
Turkey, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is a transcontinental country that connects two continents, Asia and Europe. It shares borders with 8 countries and has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The country is well known for its diverse landscapes, stunning coastlines, vast mountain ranges, fertile plains and ancient historical sites.
In terms of economy, Turkey has emerged as an important economic power in the region. With a strategic geographical position, a young and dynamic workforce, and a diverse industrial base, Turkey has made a special mark in the international community as a strong and stable economy. Turkey’s key sectors include manufacturing, automotive, textiles, tourism, agriculture and energy. Istanbul, the country’s largest city, serves as a major economic and financial center.
Major changes took place in Turkey’s foreign policy under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey has proven its potential to expand regional cooperation, strengthen economic ties and become a key player on the global stage. The country has pursued a multilateral foreign policy, maintaining relations with Western countries and all regions including the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Turkey’s support for Pakistan is due to the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the strategic partnership between Turkey and Pakistan, cooperation on various fronts such as defense, trade and cultural exchange is also ongoing. The two countries have expressed solidarity and support to each other on regional and international issues. There is no contradiction between the positions of Turkey and Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir and Palestine.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has enjoyed immense popularity among the Turkish people for a number of reasons. First and foremost, economic development and economic growth were emphasized under his leadership. During his tenure, Turkey achieved substantial economic growth with an increase in foreign investment, development of basic infrastructure, and an improvement in the standard of living for citizens.
Moreover, Tayyip Erdoğan’s political rhetoric is also very important to a significant part of the Turkish population. His Muslim-friendly stance, with its emphasis on Islam and traditional values, has attracted the attention of those who feel a strong attachment to their cultural and religious heritage. Moreover, President Recep Erdogan’s charismatic personality and effective communication skills, seen during various speeches, addresses and discussions, have contributed to his wide popularity.
In the recent presidential elections, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won back his position as the head of the country for another term. This victory seems to extend the period of his rule on the Turkish political scene. The election, which took place on May 28, 2023, followed a preliminary round on May 14, where Erdogan narrowly missed out on a victory and then needed a run-off.
After the victory in the final stage of the presidential election, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while addressing to his supporters from the presidential palace, said: “Turkish people have given me responsibility again. Together we will make the present century the century of Turkey. No one was defeated today. Today’s winner is only Turkey. This victory belongs to all 8 and half crore citizens of Turkey. This is a victory for democracy. I am grateful to everyone for giving responsibility for the next 5 years. This is the time for consensus and action.”
