Last Updated:

2024-03-31 07:47:40

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Turkish politician and current president of Turkey.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, born in 1954, co-founded the AKP in 2001. He served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and has been the president since 2014. Erdoğan's tenure has seen economic recovery, EU negotiations, and reduced military influence. His presidency has been marked by democratic challenges and a shift towards authoritarianism.

İlkay Gündoğan Ilham Aliyev Hibatullah Akhundzada Ottoman Empire Viktor Orbán Ebrahim Raisi Sheikh Hasina Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Vladimir Putin Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

1923-10-29

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Elected as First President of Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was unanimously elected as the first president of Turkey on the same day the office was established, 29 October 1923.

1954-02-26

Birth of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was born in the Kasımpaşa neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey. He is a Turkish politician who has served as the President of Turkey since 2014.

1961

Establishment of Convention Requiring Turkish Presidents to Sever Relations with Political Party

Since 1961, Turkish presidents were required to sever all relations with their political party to ensure impartiality in presiding over the Turkish constitutional system. This convention aimed to prevent any political bias in the presidency.

1965

Erdoğan Graduated from Kasımpaşa Piyale Primary School

In 1965, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan completed his education at Kasımpaşa Piyale Primary School.

1973

Education at İmam Hatip School

Erdoğan graduated from İmam Hatip school, a religious vocational high school, in 1973. He received his high school diploma from Eyüp High School in Istanbul, Turkey.

1974

Involvement in National Salvation Party

In 1974, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became the head of the Beyoğlu youth branch of the Islamist National Salvation Party (MSP) in Istanbul, Turkey.

1976

Election as Chairman of Beyoğlu Youth Branch of National Salvation Party

In 1976, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected as the chairman of the Beyoğlu Youth Branch of the National Salvation Party (MSP) after being an active member of various branches of the Turkish National Students’ Union.

1978-07-04

Marriage to Emine Gülbaran

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan married Emine Gülbaran on 4 July 1978 in Turkey.

1980

Work in Private Sector after September 12th Military Intervention

After the September 12th, 1980 military intervention in Turkey which closed down all political parties, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan worked in the private sector as a consultant and a senior executive.

1983

Erdoğan Joined Welfare Party

In 1983, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the Welfare Party, following most of Necmettin Erbakan's followers.

1984

Becoming Beyoğlu District Chairman of Welfare Party

In 1984, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan returned to politics and became the Beyoğlu District Chairman of the Welfare Party, following the establishment of the party in 1983.

1985

Appointment as Provincial Chairman for Istanbul in Welfare Party

In 1985, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was appointed as the provincial chairman for Istanbul in the Welfare Party and became a member of its central decision-making and executive board.

1989

Success in Beyoğlu District Local Elections with Welfare Party

In the local elections of 1989, the reorganization initiated by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Welfare Party led to huge success in the Beyoğlu district, becoming a model for political efforts across the country.

1994-03-27

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Elected as Istanbul Mayor

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected as the Mayor of Istanbul in the local elections of March 27, 1994. During his tenure, he successfully tackled various chronic problems of Istanbul such as water shortage, garbage problem, air pollution, and traffic congestion through strategic planning and effective management.

1997-12-12

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Sentenced to Prison

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was sentenced to a prison term in 1997 for reciting a poem during a public address in Siirt. The poem was from a book recommended by the Ministry of Education. As a result, he was removed from the office of Istanbul Mayor.

1999-03-24

Imprisonment

In March 1999, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was imprisoned for reciting a controversial poem, leading to his resignation as Mayor of Istanbul.

2001-08-14

Establishment of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party)

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan founded the AK Party in response to public demands after being in prison for four months. The party quickly gained popularity and became the largest political movement in Turkey.

2002-11-03

First Elections as Party Leader

The elections of 2002 were the first elections in which Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated as a party leader, leading to the AKP's victory in Turkey.

2003-02-09

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan becoming Prime Minister

After winning the rescheduled Siirt election in February 2003, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became the Prime Minister of Turkey, taking over from Abdullah Gül.

2003-03-01

Turkish Parliament Overrules Motion for Military Participation in Iraq Invasion

On March 1, 2003, the Turkish Parliament rejected a motion that would have allowed Turkish military to participate in the U.S-led coalition's invasion of Iraq, along with the permission for foreign troops to be stationed in Turkey for this purpose.

2003-03-09

Erdoğan's Election as a Deputy for Siirt

After legal obstacles were lifted, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan participated in the renewal elections for the province of Siirt and won with 85 percent of the votes. He became a deputy for the province in the 22nd Term of Parliament.

2003-03-14

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan becomes Prime Minister of Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan assumed office as the Prime Minister of Turkey on March 14, 2003, succeeding Abdullah Gül. He held this position until August 28, 2014.

2003-03-15

Appointment as Prime Minister

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was appointed as the Prime Minister of Turkey on March 15, 2003. He initiated numerous reforms focusing on democratization, transparency, and economic stability. His leadership led to significant improvements in various sectors, earning him the nickname 'the Silent Revolution.'

2004-01-28

Meeting between President Bush and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

President Bush straightens his jacket before talking with reporters after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office. Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is seeking a third consecutive term as Turkey's president in the upcoming elections.

2004-03-28

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife voting in local elections

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, are welcomed by a polling station official before casting their votes in the local elections at a primary school in Ankara. Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is seeking a third consecutive term as Turkey's president in the upcoming elections.

2005-05-01

Visit to Israel

In 2005, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Israel, a gesture unusual for a leader of a Muslim majority country, and visited the Yad Vashem memorial.

2007-04-14

Protests Against Erdoğan's Presidential Candidacy

Around 300,000 people marched in Ankara to protest Erdoğan's potential candidacy in the 2007 presidential election, fearing a change in the secular nature of the Turkish state.

2007-07-22

Formation of 60th Government

After winning the general elections with a significant majority on July 22, 2007, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan formed the 60th government of the Republic of Turkey. This marked a crucial milestone in his political career and further solidified his position as a key figure in Turkish politics.

2008-07-30

Attempt to Ban Erdoğan's Party

On 30 July 2008, Turkey's Chief Prosecutor sought to ban Erdoğan's governing party, following a previous request in March 2008. The party managed to avoid a ban but faced a reduction in public funding.

2008-11-13

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Participation at Columbia University

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, participated in an event at Columbia University on November 13, 2008.

2009-01-29

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Shimon Peres Meeting at World Economic Forum

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, engaged in a discussion with Shimon Peres, the President of Israel, at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

2010-03-01

United Nations–HABITAT Award in Memorial of Rafik Hariri

Erdoğan was awarded the United Nations–HABITAT award for his outstanding achievement and commendable conduct in leadership, statesmanship, and good governance. He initiated a global movement of mayors through the first roundtable of mayors during the Istanbul conference.

2010-05-27

Medal of Honour from the Brazilian Federation of Industry for the State of São Paulo (FIESP)

Erdoğan received the Medal of Honour for his contributions to the industry sector.

2010-05-31

World Health Organization 2010 World No Tobacco Award

Erdoğan was honored with the World No Tobacco Award for his dedicated leadership in tobacco control in Turkey.

2010-06-29

2010 World Family Award from the World Family Organization

Erdoğan received the 2010 World Family Award for his support to families worldwide.

2010-11-04

Golden Medal of Independence

Erdoğan was conferred the Golden Medal of Independence for his contributions to the independence of Kosovo.

2010-11-25

Leader of the Year Award by the Union of Arab Banks in Lebanon

Erdoğan was presented with the Leader of the Year award by the Union of Arab Banks in Lebanon.

2011-01-11

Outstanding Personality in the Islamic World Award

Erdoğan received the Outstanding Personality in the Islamic World Award for his charitable contributions.

2011-09-12

Erdoğan's Official Visit to Egypt

On 12 September 2011, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made his first official visit to Egypt, shortly after severing diplomatic ties with Israel. This visit aimed to strengthen relations between Turkey and Egypt.

2011-10-25

Palestinian International Award for Excellence and Creativity (PIA) 2011

Erdoğan was recognized with the Palestinian International Award for his support to the Palestinian people and cause.

2012-01-21

Gold Statue 2012 Special Award by the Polish Business Center Club (BCC)

Erdoğan was awarded the Gold Statue for his efforts in promoting economic growth, democracy, and free market relations.

2013-12-17

2013 Corruption Scandal in Turkey

The 2013 corruption scandal in Turkey involved key individuals in the Turkish government, including Suleyman Aslan and Reza Zarrab, who were accused of bribery, corruption, fraud, money laundering, and gold smuggling. The scandal revolved around an alleged 'gas for gold' scheme with Iran, exploiting a loophole in U.S. sanctions.

2014-04-23

Erdoğan's Statement on Armenian Mass Killings

On April 23, 2014, Erdoğan's office issued a statement offering condolences for the mass killings of Armenians in 1915, acknowledging the inhumane consequences and calling for compassion between Turks and Armenians.

2014-07-01

Erdoğan Named AKP's Presidential Candidate

On July 1, 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was announced as the AKP's presidential candidate for the Turkish presidential election. His candidacy was revealed by Mehmet Ali Şahin, the Deputy President of the AKP.

2014-08-10

Election as President of Turkey

In August 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected as the President of Turkey in the first round of the election.

2014-08-28

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's term as Prime Minister ends

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's term as the Prime Minister of Turkey ended on August 28, 2014. He was succeeded by Ahmet Davutoğlu.

2014-08-29

Erdoğan Administers Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu's Oath

On August 29, 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan administered the oath of office to the new Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. This action raised concerns about Erdoğan's potential influence over the government.

2014-09-01

Dissolution of cases of 96 suspects

On 1 September 2014, the courts dissolved the cases of 96 suspects, which included Bilal Erdoğan.

2014-09-12

Internet Control Law in Turkey

Erdoğan signed a bill allowing the government to block websites without court orders in September 2014, tightening controls over the Internet.

2014-10-29

Inauguration of Presidential Complex in Ankara

The Presidential Complex in Ankara was formally inaugurated as the official residence of the president by Erdoğan on the country's Republic Day, 29 October 2014.

2015-11-15

Meeting between U.S President Barack Obama and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

U.S President Barack Obama met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Antalya, Turkey. The meeting took place on November 15, 2015.

2016-06-22

Erdoğan's Crackdown on Civil Groups

On June 22, 2016, President Erdoğan claimed success in 'destroying' civil groups opposing the state, leading to concerns about the suppression of free thought and peaceful opposition in Turkey.

2016-07-15

Attempted Coup d'état

On 15 July 2016, a coup d'état was attempted by the military in Turkey, aiming to remove Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from government.

2016-07-20

Declaration of State of Emergency

On July 20, 2016, Erdoğan declared a state of emergency in Turkey after a coup attempt, leading to extensive purges and crackdowns on dissenting voices.

2017-03-10

Meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. The meeting occurred on March 10, 2017.

2017-04-29

Wikipedia Block in Turkey

On 29 April 2017, Erdoğan's administration initiated an internal Internet block of Wikipedia in Turkey, following a request to remove 'offensive content'. Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales stood in support of access to information as a fundamental human right.

2018-04-27

Erdoğan Declares Candidacy for 2018 Turkish Presidential Election

On April 27, 2018, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared his candidacy for the 2018 Turkish presidential election as part of the People's Alliance. He was supported by the MHP and eventually won the election with 52.59% of the popular vote.

2018-06-24

Erdoğan's Re-election as President

On June 24, 2018, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won a majority of the vote in the presidential election, assuming the expanded presidential powers granted by the constitutional changes. His victory led to the implementation of the new presidential system in Turkey.

2018-07-08

Mass Sacking of Officials Allegedly Tied to Fethullah Gülen

On 8 July 2018, Erdoğan dismissed 18,000 officials for alleged ties to Fethullah Gülen before renewing his term as president. This move included a significant number of police officers, armed forces personnel, and academics.

2019-11-26

Albania Earthquake and Turkish Support

An earthquake hit Albania in November 2019. President Erdoğan expressed condolences and committed Turkey to reconstructing homes in Laç. He also organized a donors conference in Istanbul.

2020-07-01

Social Media Regulation Announcement

On July 1, 2020, Erdoğan announced new measures to control or shut down social media platforms in Turkey, following insults directed at his daughter on Twitter.

2022-05-14

Legislative elections in Turkey

During the first round of voting on May 14, Turkey held legislative elections in which Erdogan's alliance of nationalist and Islamist parties won a majority in the 600-seat parliament. This victory gives Erdogan an advantage in the second round, with analysts predicting continued support to avoid a splintered government.

2023-02-06

2023 earthquake

A catastrophic earthquake occurred during Erdoğan's administration in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria, resulting in the death of over 50,000 people.

2023-02-13

Devastating Earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

A powerful earthquake hit Kahramanmaras, southeastern Turkey, leading to the destruction of buildings and leaving residents in distress. The slow government response exacerbated the impact of the natural disaster.

2023-02-15

Devastating Earthquake in Antakya, Turkey

A devastating earthquake struck Antakya, southern Turkey, causing destruction to buildings and leaving many people displaced. The government's slow response worsened the situation for the affected residents.

2023-04-01

Turkey's Ratification of Finnish NATO Membership

Turkey confirmed and signed the ratification of Finnish NATO membership, allowing Finland to join NATO.

2023-04-21

Election Rally Campaign in Istanbul, Turkey

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gathered in Istanbul for an election rally campaign. Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, has faced various political crises and challenges, including mass protests, corruption allegations, and economic issues.

2023-05-10

Temporary Housing After Earthquake in Antakya, Turkey

Hatice Onlen and her family are temporarily living in tents following a powerful earthquake in Antakya, southeastern Turkey. The earthquake caused significant damage, and the government's delayed response added to the challenges faced by the affected individuals.

2023-05-14

Recep Tayyip Erdogan Seeking Third Consecutive Term as Turkey's President

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in power for 20 years, is running for a third consecutive term as the President of Turkey in the upcoming elections on May 14, 2023.

2023-05-28

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Reelected as President of Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was reelected for a 3rd term as the president of Turkey on 28 May 2023, extending his term until May 2028.

2023-10-23

Approval of Sweden's NATO Membership by Erdoğan

Erdoğan approved Sweden's NATO membership bid and sent the accession protocol to the Turkish Parliament for ratification.

2023-10-25

Erdoğan's Statement on Hamas

On 25 October 2023, Erdoğan declared that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but a liberation group fighting for Palestinian rights.

2024-03-07

Turkey struggles to stop violence against women

On March 7, 2024, Turkey faced challenges in preventing violence against women, with at least 71 women killed that year.

2024-03-08

Erdoğan Announces Retirement After Presidential Term

On March 8, 2024, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that he would retire once his presidential term ended. This decision marked a significant moment in Turkish politics.

2024-03-21

Turkish central bank raises key interest rate to 50%

On March 21, 2024, the Turkish central bank increased the key interest rate to 50% due to soaring inflation.

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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan