# AK Party 25th anniversary celebrations in Ankara > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-parties-25th-anniversary-celebrations > Updated: 2026-08-22T18:56:18.000Z. Sources: 101. Developments: 10. The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) marked its 25th anniversary, founded on August 14, 2001, with nationwide commemorations and a massive central event at Ankara’s Başkent Millet Bahçesi. Prior to the main rally, local officials held religious services, press conferences, and exhibitions in cities such as Istanbul, Erzurum, and Kayseri to honor the party’s history. During the Ankara celebrations, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan unveiled the ‘AK Parti Vision Document,’ a strategic roadmap outlining ten primary objectives for the next 25 years. The plan aims to transition Turkey toward a high-income economy and a ‘founding global influence.’ Key priorities include the ‘National Technology Move’—focusing on AI, unmanned systems, and space technologies—as well as digital sovereignty, green transformation, and expanding high-speed rail to 27 cities by 2028. The document also addresses social frameworks for family, women, and youth, alongside a vision for a new constitution. The anniversary coincided with a significant wave of political transfers. President Erdoğan personally presented party badges to several new members, including Aydın MP Ömer Karakaş from the İYİ Parti, and mayors Yakup Odabaşı (Gölbaşı) and Saim Zileli (Eceabat). Notably, İdil Mayor Türkan Kayır, previously elected with the DEM Party, joined the AK Party, becoming its first Syriac mayor. In Ankara, some CHP municipal leaders are reportedly considering joining the AK Party due to a perceived lack of coordination from Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş. Following these shifts, the AK Party has regained its position as the leading party in terms of district municipalities in the capital, and its number of MPs in the Grand National Assembly rose to 280. ## Claims - AK Parti is celebrating its 25th anniversary of founding. (corroborated by 34 sources) - President Erdoğan will deliver a speech at the anniversary event in Ankara. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The celebration event is being held at Başkent Millet Bahçesi in Ankara. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The vision document includes goals for a ‘Terror-free Turkey’. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The AK Parti Vision Document will be announced at the event. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The event will feature 25 youths born on the day AK Parti was founded. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The event is expected to draw approximately 100,000 participants. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Several politicians are expected to join AK Parti during the celebrations. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Mehmet Mustafa Gürban is expected to join AK Parti after resigning from İYİ Parti. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Approximately 15,000 party members from Istanbul are traveling to Ankara for the event. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Three MPs and seven mayors joined the AK Parti during the anniversary celebrations. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The number of AK Parti MPs in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey rose to 280. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: AK Parti celebrates 25th anniversary in Ankara The AK Parti celebrated its 25th anniversary in Ankara, with President Erdoğan highlighting infrastructure and defense achievements as part of the 'Türkiye Century' vision. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ak-parti-celebrates-25th-anniversary-in-ankara ### 2026-08-16: AK Parti unveils 25-year vision document for Turkey The AK Parti has unveiled a 25-year vision document for Turkey, focusing on high-value production, technological sovereignty in defense, and increasing the nation’s influence in the global political order. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ak-parti-unveils-25-year-vision-document-for-turkey ### 2026-08-15: AK Parti sees surge in political transfers during 25th anniversary AK Parti is seeing a surge in political transfers from opposition parties during its 25th-anniversary celebrations, including several mayors and MPs, particularly impacting the political landscape in Ankara. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ak-party-expands-influence-through-political-transfers-in-turkey ### 2026-08-15: Turkey advances toward global power status, says AK Party's Mehmet Kasapoğlu AK Party Izmir Deputy Dr. Mehmet Kasapoğlu marked the party's 25th anniversary by highlighting Turkey's progress toward becoming a global power and its resilience against political crises. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-advances-toward-global-power-status-says-ak-partys-mehmet-kasapolu ### 2026-08-13: AK Parti celebrates 25th anniversary with new vision and political gains AK Parti marked its 25th anniversary in Ankara with a major event featuring President Erdoğan. The celebration included the defection of three MPs and seven mayors to the party and the release of a new vision. 79 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cevdet-ylmaz-marks-ak-party-25th-anniversary ### 2026-08-08: AK Parti marks 25th anniversary with nationwide commemorations AK Parti is celebrating its 25th anniversary across Turkey with commemorative events, religious services, and exhibitions honoring deceased members and reflecting on its political history since 2001. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ak-party-celebrates-25th-anniversary-with-events-and-media ### 2026-08-05: Turkey's AK Party Prepares 25th Anniversary Celebrations Turkey's AK Party is preparing a nationwide 25th‑anniversary program for 14 August 2026, including a special newspaper, a main ceremony in Ankara with President Erdoğan, and local events in all provinces. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-ak-party-prepares-25th-anniversary-celebrations ### 2026-07-30: AK Party marks 25‑year milestone and celebrates members' birthdays in Turkey AK Party celebrated its 25‑year anniversary in Düzce and held birthday calls for members, underscoring unity and the party’s long‑standing role in Turkey. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ak-party-marks-25year-milestone-and-celebrates-members-birthdays-in-turkey ### 2026-07-28: Turkey's AK Party celebrates 25 years with new logo and nationwide events Turkey's AK Party commemorates its 25th anniversary with a new logo, nationwide events, a drone show, tree‑planting drive and commemorative coins. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-ak-party-celebrates-25-years-with-new-logo-and-nationwide-events ### 2026-07-20: Saadet Party marks 25th anniversary with ceremonies in Afyonkarahisar and Nevşehir Saadet Party celebrated its 25th anniversary with a tree‑planting ceremony in Afyonkarahisar and a speech in Nevşehir, reaffirming its focus on justice and a livable Turkey. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saadet-party-marks-25th-anniversary-with-ceremonies-in-afyonkarahisar-and-nevehir --- Cite as: AK Party 25th anniversary celebrations in Ankara. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-parties-25th-anniversary-celebrations