Ruling AKP to mark its 16th anniversary with ‘modest’ celebration

Nuray Babacan - ANKARA

AFP photo

With the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) set to mark its 16th anniversary on Aug. 14, President and AKP head Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has instructed party officials to organize celebrations in a manner that “will not overshadow the July 2016 coup attempt commemorations.”

“We recently commemorated the martyrs of July 15, 2016. It was a spectacular ceremony. The celebrations of the AKP’s establishment should not overshadow July 15,” Erdoğan has reportedly told party officials.

The AKP was founded on Aug. 14, 2001, after the prominent members, including Erdoğan and former President Abdullah Gül, split from the Welfare Party (RP). 

Some 6,000 people are set to attend the anniversary celebrations in the Turkish capital Ankara, inclduing all provincial district mayors, former deputies and ministers who have served the party since its foundation.

According to plans, there will be three different programs that will mark the 16-year AKP “journey” so far. The programs will include a photography exhibition, a public display of all publications that either the party published or are about the AKP, and a movie screening about landmarks during the party’s existence.

President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.