AK Party’s 24th Foundation Anniversary Ceremony
Section 1: Badge-Pinning Ceremony for Newly Joined Mayors
At the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) 24th Foundation Anniversary Ceremony held at Ankara Arena Congress Hall, Türkiye’s President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pinned the party’s golden badge onto 9 newly joined mayors in an official ceremony.
Names of Mayors:
Özlem Çerçioğlu – Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor
Mustafa İriş Arıkan – Söke District Municipality Mayor (Aydın Province)
Malik Ejder – Yenipazar District Municipality Mayor (Aydın Province)
Osman Yıldırımkaya – Sultanhisar District Municipality Mayor (Aydın Province)
Ümit Yıldız – Şahinbey District Municipality Mayor (Gaziantep Province)
Yasemin Fıratlıoğlu – Altınova District Municipality Mayor (Yalova Province)
Mustafa Kodal – Yalvaç District Municipality Mayor (Isparta Province)
İsmail Akpınar – Yeşiltepe Township Municipality Mayor (Aksaray Province)
Memduh Yanık – Bozkurt District Municipality Mayor (Kastamonu Province)
The first six mayors had resigned from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and the next two from the İYİ Party. Memduh Yanık joined the newcomers as an independent mayor.
Section 2: Speeches by Aydın Mayor and the President
Immediately after receiving her badge, Özlem Çerçioğlu announced in her speech that Aydın Province is in a high earthquake risk zone and that, with the direct support of the President, a comprehensive urban renewal project prioritizing building reinforcement would commence. She added: “If there are claims about my performance or past, competent authorities may address them. I have always carried out my duty with my head held high, unafraid of judicial processes.”
President Erdoğan highlighted the breadth of regional challenges in his speech, stating: “Traces of organized anti-Türkiye policies are observed across a vast geography from Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean, and from the Balkans to Africa.” He emphasized: “The name of every person or institution contributing to the realization of a ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ will be recorded as part of the country’s historic turning point. The ultimate goal is to completely eradicate the possibility of terrorist threats emerging.”
Section 3: Economic Report and Attendees
During the ceremony, a comprehensive report on Türkiye’s economic achievements was presented:
Exports rose from $36 billion (2002) to $270 billion (2024).
Foreign investments reached $281 billion with a 19-fold increase.
Central Bank Reserves: $175 billion.
GDP per capita: From $3,608 to $15,463 ($17,000+ forecasted for 2025).
Defense Budget: Increased from $5.5 billion to $100 billion.
The presence of President Erdoğan’s spouse Emine Erdoğan and allied party representatives in the front rows drew camera attention. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli congratulated the anniversary by sending flowers but could not attend physically.
In a symbolic segment, Deputy Chairman Faruk Acar presented the Party Chairman with an album containing 24 historic anthems. The screening of a documentary and hanging banners with the slogan *”24-Year Epic: Türkiye Unity and Brotherhood”* were other highlights.
Section 4: Infrastructure Achievements and Closing
The President continued by noting infrastructure achievements:
Commissioning of 25 city hospitals with 37,127 beds across Türkiye.
₺4 trillion 970 billion in cash aid disbursed to those in need.
$75 billion spent on rebuilding earthquake zones (February 2023).
Özlem Çerçioğlu told TRT that her move to AK Party was solely to improve services for Aydın and accelerate major infrastructure projects. Other mayors cited alignment with the central government’s development programs as their reason for switching positions.
The Party Spokesperson announced:
Mayors’ names and backgrounds will be published on the official website.
Mayors will present local projects at a meeting next week with the Ministers of Interior; Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem, a live orchestra performance, and a closing speech by Deputy Chairperson Berrin Yıldırım.
Related news:
Political Defections in Turkey: 9 Mayors Join Justice and Development Party
