Türkiye’s ruling AKP marks 25 years with huge Ankara gathering PHOTO/VIDEO

More than 100,000 people gathered in Ankara to mark the 25th anniversary of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The anniversary rally marked a major milestone for a party that has played a central role in Türkiye’s political life since its founding in 2001, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Bugün çok özel, tarihi bir gün. 25’inci yılımızı büyük bir gururla idrak ediyoruz. AK kadrolar olarak, çeyrek asrı devirmenin bahtiyarlığını yaşıyoruz. pic.twitter.com/ccJgZTE7XS

— TRT Haber Canlı (@trthabercanli) August 14, 2026

The AKP was established on August 14, 2001, becoming Türkiye’s 39th political party. Erdoğan, who was then mayor of Istanbul, emerged as the party’s leader and was unanimously elected chairman by its Founding Council on August 16.

“Today will go down in Türkiye’s political history as the birthday of the Justice and Development Party, founded by people dedicated to public service, and from this day forward, nothing in our Türkiye will ever be the same again,” Erdoğan said at the time.

Ahead of Erdoğan’s speech at the anniversary event, organisers staged a large-scale light and laser show using advanced technology.

Addressing supporters, Erdoğan described the anniversary as a historic occasion and praised the party’s role in the country’s political development.

“The AKP founded our nation; it has become its hope for the future,” he said.

By Sabina Mammadli