PodcastIn rare occurrence, party leaders unite in commemorating former Islamist PM Erbakan
Political party leaders have united in attending an event to commemorate former Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan in a rare occurrence. The attendance of some opposition parties prompted surprise since Erbakan's political beliefs were not in line with their policies. The MHP, meanwhile, was absent.
Leaders of Turkey's political parties attended the commemoration of former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, a prominent politician among Islamists, in a rare occurrence of unity.
Leaders or representatives of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Felicity Party, Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), Future Party, Good (İYİ) Party, Great Unity Party (BBP) and Democrat Party attended the commemoration ceremony held in Ankara on Feb. 27. No high-level official from the National Movement Party (MHP) was present.
AKP deputy leader Mahir Ünal, CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, HDP co-chair Mithat Sancar, Future Party leader Ahmet Davutoğlu, DEVA leader Ali Babacan, Felicity Party leader Temel Karamollaoğlu, Democrat Party leader Gültekin Uysal, İYİ Party deputy leader Nuri Okutan, BBP deputy leader Tevfik Eren and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş were among the attendees.
Erbakan, who died 10 years ago, is a prominent figure among Turkey's Islamists since the current Islamist leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, are his students. He was on the political scene for 42 years and has laid down the roots of the AKP.