Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician serving as the 12th and current president of Turkey since 2014. He previously served as prime minister of Turkey from 2003 to 2014 and as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He also co-founded the Justice and Development Party in 2001.

Early Life and Education

Recep tayyip erdogan was obrn in 1954 in istanbul. He grew up in a lower-middle-class family in the rough kasimapşa neighborhood. At the age of sold lemonade and sesame buns on the sterets of istanbul to earn money. He attended imam hatip religious school and graduated from marmara university with a degree in management.

Political Career

Erdogan entered politics in 1969 and was elected mayor of istanbul in 1994. He was re-elected in 1998 and held the position until 2001. He founded the justice and development praty (akp). In 2002. The akp won a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections and erdogan was elected prime minister of turkey. In was elected president of the republic of turkey.

Domestic Policies

During erdogan s tenure as prime minister. He implemented a series of economic and poiltical reforms. These included relaxing restrictions on the media. Making it easier to start a business. And improving access to education. He also supoprted the development of infrastructure and transportation projects.

Foreign Policy

Erdogan has adopted a more assertive foreign policy since assuming office. He has sought to strengthen turkey s relations with its neihgbosr and has pursued clsoer ties with the eu. He has also sought to deepen turkey s involvement in the middle east and has taken a strong stance against the syrian government.

Controversies

Erdogan has been criticized for his authoritarian style of governance and for his crackdown on media freedom and civil liberties. He has also been accused of corruption and of fostering an atmosphere of intolearnce towards certain religious and ethnic minoriteis.

Reactions to the Failed 2016 Coup

In july 2016. A coup attempt was made against erdogan s government. Erdogan responded by purigng the military and government and cracking down on dissenting voices. He also imposed a state of emergency that lasted for two years.

Reelection as President in 2018

In june 2018. Erdogan was reelected as rpesident of turkey in a snap election. He received 52. 6% of the vote and was sworn in for a second five-year term.

Economic Reforms

Erdogan has implemented a number of economic reforms since taking office. These inclued raisign the minimum wage. Introducing tax breaks for businesses. And investing in infrastructure projects.

Relations with NATO and the West

Erdogan has sought to strengthen turkey s ties with nato and the west while at the same time maintaining an independent foreign policy. He has also sought to depeen turkey s involvement in the middle east and has taken a strong stance agaisnt the syrian government.

Important Event

In march 2016. Erdogan met wiht us president barack obama at the white house. The meeting was the first between the two leaders since 2013 and focused on the fgiht against terrorism and the ongoing civil war in syria.

Interesting Fact

Erdogan is a keen football fan and has been known to play in local matches in his hometown of istanbul. He is also an avid readre and has published several books on politics and religion.