Devlet Bahçeli marks 30 years of leadership, early elections and AKP alliance

The Turkish daily TürkGün released a special edition to commemorate the 30th anniversary of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s tenure as party chairman, featuring the headline “İyi ki Varsın Bilge Lider” and praising his long‑standing commitment to Turkish nationalism.

Analysts note that Bahçeli’s three‑decade rule shaped several pivotal moments in Turkish politics: he called early elections in 2002, 2015 and 2018, actions that paved the way for the AK Party’s long‑term dominance; he backed President Erdoğan’s shift to an executive presidency in 2017, contributing to the removal of the parliamentary system; and his leadership style sparked internal dissent, leading to a split of the nationalist wing and the formation of rival factions within the MHP.