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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician who has served as president of Turkey since 2014.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a Turkish politician who has served as president of Turkey since 2014. He previously served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He is the long-time leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and was re-elected president in 2023.

Early life and education

Erdoğan was born in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, in 1954. Public biographies identify him as a Turkish politician; commonly cited biographies also note that he studied in Istanbul before entering politics.

Rise in local and national politics

He first rose to prominence as mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He later co-founded the AKP in 2001 and became prime minister after the party’s electoral victory in 2003.

Presidency

Erdoğan became Turkey’s president in 2014, the first directly elected president under the revised electoral system. He was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2023.

Political system and legacy

During his presidency, Turkey adopted a presidential system through constitutional changes approved in 2017 and implemented in 2018. Erdoğan’s tenure has been widely described as highly influential in shaping modern Turkish politics.

Key facts

  • Born in Istanbul in 1954, Erdoğan became a prominent Turkish political figure.
  • He served as mayor of Istanbul (1994–1998) and later as prime minister (2003–2014).
  • He became president in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2023.
  • He oversaw Turkey’s transition to a presidential system after constitutional changes in 2018.
  • He is the leader and co-founder of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
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Canadian context

Turkey’s politics under Erdoğan matter to Canadian readers because Turkey is a NATO ally and an important partner in diplomacy, migration, trade, and regional security.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan?
He is a Turkish politician who has served as president of Turkey since 2014.
When was Erdoğan born?
He was born on 26 February 1954 in Beyoğlu, Istanbul.
What offices has Erdoğan held?
He has been mayor of Istanbul, prime minister of Turkey, and president of Turkey.
Which party does Erdoğan lead?
He is the leader of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which he co-founded in 2001.
When did Erdoğan become president?
He first took office as president on 28 August 2014.
Was Erdoğan re-elected after 2014?
Yes. He was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2023.

References

  1. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye — https://www.tccb.gov.tr/receptayyiperdogan/biyografi/
    Supports: Official biography including birth date, offices held, AKP leadership, and 2023 re-election.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan
    Supports: Overview of Erdoğan’s career as prime minister and president, and the 2018 constitutional shift to a presidential system.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan
    Supports: Basic biographical details, political offices, and AKP co-founding.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Turkey
    Supports: Context on the Turkish presidency and Erdoğan as current president.