Numan Kurtulmuş: A Political Journey Through Turkey's Party Landscape
The political trajectory of Numan Kurtulmuş is a reflection of the dynamic and often shifting nature of Turkish political alliances. From his early days in the late 1990s to his ascent into the highest echelons of government, Kurtulmuş has navigated various party structures, leadership roles, and strategic mergers to shape his career.
Key Facts
- Political Start: Began his career in 1998 with the Virtue Party.
- Leadership Roles: Served as Chairman of both the Felicity Party and the People's Voice Party (HAS Party).
- Government Positions: Held the roles of Deputy Prime Minister, Government Spokesperson, and Minister of Culture and Tourism.
- Party Affiliation: Currently a member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
- Parliamentary Representation: Represented Ordu and Istanbul as a parliamentarian.
Early Career and the Virtue Party (1998–2001)
Numan Kurtulmuş entered the political arena in 1998, aligning himself with Necmettin Erbakan and the Virtue Party. During this formative period, he took on significant organizational responsibilities, serving as the chairman in Istanbul and as a Member of the Main Administrative Board.
His tenure with the Virtue Party ended abruptly in 2001 when the Constitutional Court of Turkey banned the party, forcing its members to seek new political homes.
Leadership in the Felicity Party (2001–2010)
Following the disbandment of the Virtue Party, Kurtulmuş joined the Felicity Party. He climbed the party ranks, serving as the Istanbul chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Party. His leadership capabilities were recognized on October 17, 2008, when Recai Kutan announced Kurtulmuş as a candidate for the party chairmanship.
Running under the slogan "Felicity Now!", Kurtulmuş was elected Chairman at the 3rd Party Congress in Ankara's Atatürk Sports Hall, securing 924 out of 946 valid votes.
Internal Conflict and the Split
By 2010, tensions rose between Kurtulmuş and Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Milli Görüş Movement (a political tradition emphasizing Islamic values in governance). During the 4th Party Congress on July 11, 2010, Kurtulmuş ran for re-election using a "white list" against Erbakan's "green list." Although the white list prevailed, the victory led to significant internal friction.
Despite requests from 650 delegates for a new congress, the General Administrative Board rejected the call. This impasse resulted in a mass exodus on October 1, 2010, where 53 chairmen, 65 mayors, and numerous politicians left the Felicity Party to follow Kurtulmuş.
The People's Voice Party and the Path to AKP (2010–2012)
In the wake of the split, Kurtulmuş launched the Civilization Politics Movement. This movement culminated in the founding of the People's Voice Party (HAS Party) on November 1, 2010, with the support of 235 politicians. On November 28, 2010, Kurtulmuş was elected chairman of the HAS Party by 207 of the 210 delegates.
The independence of the HAS Party was short-lived. On July 12, 2012, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan proposed a merger between the AKP and the HAS Party. Following a vote by 165 of 177 delegates on September 19, 2012, the HAS Party dissolved itself to facilitate this unification.
Ascension within the Justice and Development Party (2012–Present)
Kurtulmuş officially joined the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on September 22, 2012. He was quickly integrated into the party's leadership, becoming a Member of the Main Administrative Board and the vice chairman for economy politics.
Executive Government Roles
As the Turkish government transitioned, Kurtulmuş took on several high-profile roles:
- Deputy Prime Minister: Appointed to the 62nd Government after Ahmet Davutoğlu became Prime Minister in 2014.
- Spokesperson and Deputy PM: Following his election as the Ordu parliamentarian in June 2015 and again in November 2015, he served in the 63rd and 64th Governments.
- Minister of Culture and Tourism: After Binali Yıldırım took over the prime ministry, Kurtulmuş was appointed to this ministerial role during a cabinet overhaul on July 19, 2017.
On June 24, 2018, Kurtulmuş was elected as a parliamentarian for Istanbul and subsequently became the Deputy Chairman of the AKP on August 18, 2018.
Political Career Summary
| Period | Party/Movement | Key Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–2001 | Virtue Party | Istanbul Chairman / Board Member |
| 2001–2010 | Felicity Party | Chairman (elected 2008) |
| 2010–2012 | HAS Party | Founder and Chairman |
| 2012–Present | AKP | Deputy PM, Minister, Deputy Chairman |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Numan Kurtulmuş leave the Felicity Party?
He left the Felicity Party in 2010 following internal disputes and conflicts with Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Milli Görüş Movement, specifically regarding the results of the 4th Party Congress.
What was the HAS Party?
The People's Voice Party (HAS Party) was a political entity founded on November 1, 2010, by 235 politicians who united under the Civilization Politics Movement led by Kurtulmuş.
How did the HAS Party merge with the AKP?
Following a proposal by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in July 2012, the HAS Party held an extraordinary congress on September 19, 2012, where delegates voted to dissolve the party to unite with the AKP.
Which government positions has Numan Kurtulmuş held?
He has served as the Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson across multiple governments (62nd through 65th) and served as the Minister of Culture and Tourism starting in July 2017.
Which regions has he represented in parliament?
Numan Kurtulmuş has been elected as a parliamentarian representing both Ordu (in 2015) and Istanbul (in 2018).