Devlet Bahçeli, Turkish economist, academic, and politician, 57th Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey

Devlet Bahçeli: A Profile of Turkey's Nationalist Leader and Political Kingmaker

Devlet Bahçeli, born on 1 January 1948, is a highly influential figure in contemporary Turkish politics. An accomplished economist and academic from Gazi University, Bahçeli has served as the long-standing chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) since 1997. His political career has spanned several decades, marked by periods in government, significant internal party struggles, and a pivotal role in shaping recent Turkish political alliances.

Academic Background and Early Nationalist Roots

Educated as an economist at Gazi University in Ankara, Devlet Bahçeli's early life and career were deeply intertwined with Turkey's nationalist movement. He is widely recognized as a key figure, even a founder, of the Grey Wolves (Ülkü Ocakları), the youth organization historically associated with the MHP. This organization, known for its fervent nationalist and pan-Turkic ideology, has played a significant role in Turkish political activism, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century. Bahçeli's strong ideological foundations within this movement positioned him to become a central figure in the Nationalist Movement Party.

Following the passing of Alparslan Türkeş in 1997, the charismatic founder and spiritual leader of the MHP, Devlet Bahçeli was elected as the new Chairman in the party's first congress held after Türkeş's death. This marked a crucial transition for the MHP, with Bahçeli stepping into the shoes of a revered national figure.

Parliamentary Debut and Deputy Prime Ministership (1999-2002)

Bahçeli first entered the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in the 1999 general elections, representing his home province of Osmaniye. This period saw the MHP achieve significant electoral success, leading to their participation in a coalition government. From 1999 to 2002, Devlet Bahçeli served as Deputy Prime Minister in the tripartite coalition led by Bülent Ecevit, which included the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Motherland Party (ANAP), and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

This coalition government, formed during a period of considerable political and economic turbulence in Turkey, grappled with a severe financial crisis. Ultimately, the MHP's decision to call for early elections, largely attributed to the ongoing economic difficulties and concerns over Prime Minister Ecevit's health, led to the dissolution of the government. This move significantly reshaped the Turkish political landscape.

Resilience and Return to Parliament

The 2002 general elections proved challenging for the MHP. The party failed to surpass the 10% national electoral threshold required for parliamentary representation, a significant setback designed to ensure governmental stability by limiting smaller parties. In response to this electoral defeat, Devlet Bahçeli honorably resigned from his position as Chairman. However, demonstrating his enduring support within the party, he was re-elected as Chairman in the subsequent 2003 congress, reaffirming his leadership.

The MHP, under Bahçeli's continued leadership, successfully regained its parliamentary seats in the 2007 general elections and has maintained its presence in the Grand National Assembly ever since. This period marked a critical comeback for the party and Bahçeli himself, solidifying their role in Turkish legislative politics.

Shifting Alliances and Internal Party Dynamics

For many years, Devlet Bahçeli was known as a vocal and often fierce critic of then-Prime Minister, now President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP). However, a significant shift in political alignment occurred following the MHP's disappointing performance in the November 2015 general elections. This result triggered an intense inter-party crisis, with dissenting factions within the MHP demanding an extraordinary party congress to challenge Bahçeli's leadership and call for his resignation.

Despite Bahçeli's initial refusal to step down, an extraordinary congress was eventually held on 19 June 2016. During this highly contentious event, an article in the party's constitution that had previously prevented the election of a chairman in extraordinary congresses was indeed changed by the dissenting members. However, these changes were subsequently halted by a decision from Turkey's Supreme Court (Yargıtay), effectively preserving Bahçeli's chairmanship.

The internal rifts deepened, particularly concerning the 2017 Constitutional Referendum, which proposed a shift from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency. MHP politicians who actively campaigned for the "No" vote, opposing the changes supported by Bahçeli, were consequently expelled from the party. This significant schism led directly to the formation of a new political entity: the İYİ (Good) Party, founded on 25 October 2017, by prominent figures including Meral Akşener, who had been a key challenger to Bahçeli's leadership.

The People's Alliance and "Kingmaker" Status

In a remarkable strategic pivot, Devlet Bahçeli and the MHP formed an electoral alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), known as the People's Alliance (Cumhur İttifakı), ahead of the 2018 general election. This alliance was maintained and reinforced for the 2019 local elections. The People's Alliance has since become a cornerstone of Turkish politics, particularly after the country's transition to a presidential system.

The MHP currently provides crucial "confidence and supply" support to President Erdoğan's cabinet in the Grand National Assembly. This means that while the MHP does not hold ministerial positions within the government, its parliamentary votes are essential for the passage of legislation and for maintaining the stability of the ruling alliance. This strategic positioning has led to Devlet Bahçeli being widely described as a "kingmaker" in Turkish politics. His party's consistent support is vital for the current government's legislative agenda and continued governance, underscoring his immense influence despite the MHP being a smaller party in the alliance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Devlet Bahçeli

Who is Devlet Bahçeli?

Devlet Bahçeli is a prominent Turkish politician and economist, currently serving as the chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) since 1997. He has also previously served as Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey.

What is the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)?

The MHP is a right-wing, nationalist political party in Turkey, founded by Alparslan Türkeş. It advocates for Turkish nationalism, conservatism, and a strong, unified state.

What is the "People's Alliance" (Cumhur İttifakı)?

The People's Alliance is an electoral and political alliance formed between the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) led by Devlet Bahçeli and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was established before the 2018 general elections and has been maintained since.

Why is Devlet Bahçeli referred to as a "kingmaker"?

Bahçeli is described as a "kingmaker" because his party's parliamentary support is critical for the ruling People's Alliance to maintain its majority and pass legislation in the Grand National Assembly. His strategic decisions and the MHP's votes significantly influence the stability and direction of the Turkish government.

What was the significance of the 2017 Constitutional Referendum for MHP?

The 2017 Constitutional Referendum, which proposed a shift to an executive presidential system, caused a major split within the MHP. While Bahçeli supported the "Yes" campaign, many prominent party figures campaigned for "No" and were subsequently expelled. This led to the formation of the opposition İYİ Party by Meral Akşener.