Turkey's Justice and Development Party has dominated national politics for over two decades

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Since 2002, the Justice and Development Party has maintained a grip on Turkish governance, winning seven consecutive parliamentary elections. While initially celebrated for economic reforms and pro-European aspirations, the party's trajectory has shifted toward authoritarianism, sparking intense domestic debate over the secular foundations of the Turkish state.

Founded in 2001, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) emerged from a coalition of reformist Islamists and social conservatives. Its early years were defined by rapid economic growth and structural reforms, which helped end three decades of high inflation. By 2004, inflation had dropped to 8.8%, earning the government praise from international business publications. During this period, the party positioned itself as a center-right, pro-liberal market force, even seeking observer status within the European People's Party.

The party's tenure has been marked by significant constitutional shifts. In 2007, following a political deadlock over the presidential election, the AKP successfully pushed for a referendum that moved the country toward a popular vote for the presidency and reduced the presidential term from seven years to five. These changes were part of a broader effort to consolidate power, which critics argue has increasingly undermined the secular principles enshrined in the Turkish constitution. The party has faced two major closure trials—in 2002 and 2008—on charges of promoting Islamist practices and violating the separation of religion and state.

Despite its long-term dominance, the party's influence has faced recent challenges. In the 2019 local elections, the AKP lost control of major cities including Istanbul and Ankara, a defeat attributed to an ongoing economic crisis and concerns over authoritarianism. While the party remains the largest in the Grand National Assembly with 268 seats as of the 2023 elections, these electoral setbacks have signaled a changing political landscape. The party's evolution from a broad-based reformist movement to a more centralized, nationalist-aligned entity remains a subject of intense scrutiny by both domestic opponents and international observers.

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