Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan ( born 26 February 1954) is a Turkish politician who has served as the 12th and current President of Turkey since 2014. He previously served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014 and Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. Erdogan is the founding members of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), a position he held until 2014 when he assumed the presidency, as the Turkish constitution requires the president to be politically neutral. 

Early Life and Education 

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was born in the Kasimpasa neighborhood of Istanbul but spent part of his childhood in Rize, on Turkey's northeastern coast. He returned to Istanbul in his early years and attended an Islamic vocational school, known as an Imam Hatip school. Erdogan later studied business at Marmara University, although there has been some controversy regarding the specifics of his educational background. 

Early Political Career 

Erdogan began his political career in Islamist political movements. He became involved in the youth wing of the National Salvation Party (MSP) led by Necmettin Erbakan, a prominent Islamist politician. After the military coup of 1980, political parties were temporarily banned, but Erdogan continued his political activities and was elected mayor of Istanbul in 1994 as a member of the Welfare Party (Refah Partisi). His time as mayor is widely regarded as successful, with improvements in infrastructure, transportation, and the city's water supply. 

In 1998, Erdogan was imprisoned for reciting a poem with religious and nationalist overtones, which was deemed an incitement to violence. After serving four months in prison, he emerged as a mere prominent political figure. 

Founding of the AKP and Rise to Power 

Following the dissolution of the Welfare Party, Erdogan and other reformist founded the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001, positioning it as a center-right party with a mix of conservative, democratic, and Islamic elements. The AKP won a landslide victory in the 2002 general elections, allowing Erdogan to rise to power. Although he was initially barred from serving as prime minister due to his criminal conviction, a legal amendment allowed him to assume the role in March 2003.

Prime Ministership (2003-2014)

As Prime Minister, Erdogan implemented significant political and economic reforms. High government focused on strengthening Turkey's economy, and the country experienced significant economic growth during his tenure. Turkey also pursued Erdogan Union membership, with reforms aimed at aligning with EU standards, though progress stalled in later years. 

Erdogan's government sought to consolidate control over the military, which had traditionally played a strong role in Turkish politics. Through constitutional reforms and legal actions, Erdogan reduced the military's influence, most notably through the controversial Ergenekon and Sledgehammer trials, which targeted military officers accused of planning coups against government. 

On the foriegn policy front, Erdogan advocated for a more active and independent Turkish role in regional affairs, particularly in the Middle East. His government sought to strengthen relations with neighboring countries through a "zero problem with neighbors" policy, although this approach faced challenges with the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War 2011.

Presidency (2014-present)

Erdogan was elected President in 2014, Turkey's first directly elected president following a constitutional change. His presidency has been marked by a shift toward an executive system of governance, particularly following a 2017 constitutional referendum that transformed Turkey from a parliamentary system to a presidential system. This change significantly increased the powers of the presidency, allowing Erdogan to issue decrees, appoint senior officials, and dissolve parliament. 

His presidency has also been characterized by increased political polarization, crackdowns on media freedom, and a growing authoritarian streak. Following a failed military coup attempt in July 2016, Erdogan's government declared a state of emergency, which remained in effect for two years. During this time, thousands of military personnel, civil servants, journalists, and academics were purged or arrested under the suspicion of having ties to the coup plotters or the Gulen movement, which Erdogan accused of orchestrating the coup.

Domestic and foreign Policy

Under Erdogan, Turkey has pursued an assertive foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. His government has been involved in the Syrian conflict, supported the government of Fayez al-Sarraj in Libya, and engaged in territorial disputes with Greece and Cyprus over maritime boundaries. Turkey has also deepened ties with Russia while maintaining a complex relationship with the United States and NATO, particularly over issues like Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia. 

Domestically, Erdogan has championed large infrastructure projects such as airports, bridges, and the construction of Canal Istanbul, a controversial artificial shipping canal. His government has faced growing criticism for its handling of the economy, particularly after a currency crisis 2018, which resulted in high inflation and unemployment. 

Personal Life 

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is married to Emine Erdogan, and the couple has four children. Erdogan is known for his strong Islamic beliefs, often referencing his faith in public speeches. His leadership style is often described as populist, with his supporters viewing him as a champion of Turkey's conservative and religious base, while his critics accuse him of undermining the country's secular and democratic traditions. 

Legacy 

Erdogan remains a dominant figure in Turkish politics, with his tenure reshaping the country's political landscape. His leadership has been polarizing, with admirers praising his role in modernizing Turkey and critics expressing concern over increasing authoritarianism. His influence on both domestic and international affairs is likely to have a lasting impact on Turkey for years to come.