Political Parties and Labor Organizations

ANAP

Anavatan Partisi (Motherland Party). Founded in May 1983 under the leadership of Turgut Özal. The ruling party following the 1983 election, the center-right ANAP included mostly former members of the pre-1980 AP (Adalet Partisi) (q.v.) .

AP

Adalet Partisi (Justice Party). Established in 1961, one of the two major parties prior to the September 1980 coup, led by Süleyman Demirel. Following its dissolution by the National Security Council, many of its members subsequently joined the ANAP (q.v.) or the DYP (q.v.)

Birlik ve Baris (Unity and Peace).

Splinter from RP (q.v.) in 1992.

BTP

Büyük Türkiye Partisi (Grand Turkey Party). Founded in May 1983 and banned the same month for having connections with the dissolved AP (q.v.). Its supporters then formed the center-right DYP (q.v.).

CHP

Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (Republican People's Party). Founded in the 1920s and led by Atatürk until his death in 1938. Headed by Bülent Ecevit in the 1970s, it was one of the major parties prior to the 1980 coup. A majority of its deputies ultimately regrouped in the left-of-center SHP (q.v.); others joined the DSP (q.v.). Party reactivated by Deniz Baykal in 1992. In 1995 the SHP dissolved itself, and many members joined the CHP.

CNU

Committee of National Unity. Composed of thirty-eight officers who executed the May 1960 coup; the CNU governed the country until a constituent assembly was formed in January 1961.

Demokratik Partisi (Democratic Party)

Formed in 1971 by former AP (q.v.) members who disapproved of Süleyman Demirel's leadership; merged with the AP shortly before the 1980 coup. Not a successor to the DP (q.v.).

DEP

Demokrasi Partisi (Democracy Party). Pro-Kurd party formed in 1993 on demise of the HEP (q.v.), proscribed by Constitutional Court in June 1994.

Dev Sol

Devrimçi Sol (Revolutionary Left Party). A radical movement espousing Marxist ideology and advocating violent tactics against state institutions.

DISK

Türkiye Devrimçi Isçi Sendikalari Konfederasyonu (Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Trade Unions of Turkey). Federation of trade unions second in importance only to Türk-Is (q.v.) before 1980. Banned after 1980, DISK was less influential in the mid-1990s than some of the other labor organizations.

DP

Demokrat Partisi (Democrat Party). Founded in 1946, the party secured power in the 1950 election. It was overthrown and declared illegal by the armed forces in 1960. Should not be confused with the Demokratik Partisi (q.v.). Party reactivated in 1992.

DSP

Demokratik Sol Partisi (Democratic Left Party). Founded in November 1985 by Rahsan Ecevit, wife of former CHP (q.v.) leader Bülent Ecevit, who had been banned from political activity. The party advocated a more radical variety of democratic socialism than the SHP (q.v.).

DYP

Dogru Yol Partisi (True Path Party). Founded in June 1983 after the dissolution of the BTP (q.v.). The center-right party was considered to be the successor to the banned AP (q.v.). Former AP leader Süleyman Demirel was its leader before becoming president. Head in 1995 was Prime Minister Tansu Çiller.

HADEP

Halkin Demokrasi Partisi (People's Democracy Party). Formed in June 1994 as pro-Kurd party.

Hak-Is

Türkiye Hak Isçi Sendikalari Konfederasyonu (Confederation of Turkish Just Workers' Unions). Pro-Islamist union.

HDP

Hür Demokrat Partisi (Free Democratic Party). A short-lived right-wing party founded in 1983 by former members of the MDP (q.v.) under the leadership of Mehmet Yazar. The HDP was disbanded the same year.

HEP

Halkin Emek Partisi (People's Labor Party). Formed in late 1991 to promote full equality of Kurds and Turks within Turkey. Outlawed in 1993.

HP

Halkçi Partisi (Populist Party). Founded in May 1983, it was one of the three parties allowed to compete in the 1983 general election. It merged with Sodep (q.v.) in November 1985 to form the SHP (q.v.).

MÇP

Milliyetçi Çalisma Partisi (Nationalist Labor Party). Founded in July 1983 and originally named the Conservative Party, it changed its name in November 1985 to MÇP. The conservative nationalist party is considered to be the successor to the MHP (q.v.). In 1993 the party reassumed the name of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP).

MDP

Milliyetçi Demokrasi Partisi (Nationalist Democracy Party). Founded in May 1983 under the leadership of General Turgut Sunalp, the party never gained popular support and was dissolved in April 1986.

MHP

Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi (Nationalist Action Party). A militant, nationalist party led by Alparslan Türkes. It was associated with the pre-1980 violence and was banned following the coup. The MÇP (q.v.) was considered to be its successor prior to changing its name to MHP in 1993.

MISK

Türkiye Milliyetçi Isçi Sendikalari Konfederasyonu (Confederation of Turkish Nationalist Workers' Unions). Government-sponsored federation of labor unions.

MSP

Milli Selamet Partisi (National Salvation Party). Founded in 1972 and dissolved in 1980, this conservative, religiously oriented party served in various government coalitions prior to the 1980 coup. Many of its members subsequently supported the RP (q.v.).

OZEP

Freedom and Labor Party. Splinter from SHP (q.v.) formed in 1992.

PKK

Partiya Karkere Kurdistan (Kurdistan Workers' Party). Founded in late 1960s. Initiated armed insurrection on behalf of an independent Kurdistan in 1984; fighting continued through 1995.

RP

Refah Partisi (Welfare Party; also seen as Prosperity Party). A religious party based on Islamic principles; successor to the MSP (q.v.).

SHP

Sosyal Demokrat Halkçi Parti (Social Democratic Populist Party). Formed in November 1985 by the merger of two left-of-center parties, Sodep (q.v.) and the HP (q.v.). Dissolved itself in mid-1995, and many members joined the CHP (q.v.).

Sodep

Sosyal Demokrat Parti (Social Democratic Party). Founded in July 1983, it had the support of the moderate left that had backed the pre-coup CHP (q.v.). Merged with the HP (q.v.) in 1985 to form the SHP (q.v.).

TISK

Türkiye Isveren Sendikalari Konfederasyonu (Turkish Confederation of Employers' Associations). A confederation of employers' associations, concerned primarily with labor-management relations.

TOB

Türkiye Odalar Birligi (Turkish Trade Association). Organization that has represented the interests of merchants and industrialists since the early 1950s. In later years, it has been identified primarily with small and medium-sized firms.

Türk-Is

Türkiye Isçi Sendikalari Konfederasyonu (Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions). The largest and most influential of the union federations.

Turkish Communist Party

Joined TWP (q.v.) in 1987 to form Turkish United Communist Party.

Türkiye Birlesik Komünist Partisi (Turkish United Communist Party).

Created in 1987 by merger of TWP and Turkish Communist Party. Party was banned shortly thereafter, decriminalized in 1991, and then again proscribed.

TÜSIAD

Türk Sanayiçileri ve Is Adamlari Dernegi (Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association). Organization that represents the interests of big business.

TWP

Turkish Workers' Party. Joined with Turkish Communist Party in 1987 to form the Türkiye Birlesik Komünist Partisi (q.v.).

VAP

Vatandas Partisi (Citizens' Party). Founded in March 1986 under the leadership of former ANAP (q.v.) member Vural Arikan. A small center-right party, its two parliamentary deputies joined the DYP (q.v.) in December 1986.

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Source: U.S. Library of Congress