Justice and Development Party marks 25 years in Turkey

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has marked its 25th anniversary of founding. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has led the party since its inception—first as Prime Minister and later as President—described the quarter-century as a period of ‘historic transformation.’

In a commemorative article, Erdoğan asserted that the AKP has turned Turkey into a nation that shapes its own future through its own will. He claimed that during these 25 years, democratic legitimacy has been strengthened, public service delivery has improved, and citizen participation in public life has expanded. He characterized the party as a ‘common hope’ for millions who faced rights restrictions and economic crises.

However, critics offer a starkly different perspective. Journalist Ruhşen Çakır noted a significant shift from the party’s founding era, suggesting the AKP has become a ‘party of one man’ that functions as a political organization focused on extending its power. Similarly, writer Kemal Can argued that the party has ceased to be a political vehicle that offers solutions to social problems, instead operating as an instrumental tool.