The Presidents of Turkey: A Journey Through History and Leadership from Atatürk to Erdoğan

The story of the Turkish presidency is inextricably linked to the story of modern Turkey itself. From the ashes of the Ottoman Empire rose a secular republic, and its presidents have since navigated the nation through wars, coups, economic transformations, and profound social change. The role of the president has evolved dramatically—from a largely ceremonial figurehead to a powerhouse of executive authority. This comprehensive guide explores the lives, tenures, and legacies of every president of Turkey, providing key insights into the political history that shaped a nation straddling two continents.

THE PRESIDENTS OF TURKEY: FROM ATATÜRK TO ERDOĞAN

The Birth of a Republic: The Office of the Presidency

The Turkish presidency was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. The 1924 Constitution defined the president as the head of state, elected by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) from among its members. For decades, this model held: the president was a symbolic unifier, above partisan politics, while executive power resided with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

This changed fundamentally with a historic 2017 constitutional referendum. The office transitioned to an executive presidency, abolishing the prime ministership and consolidating vast executive powers in the hands of the president. This shift represents the most significant transformation of the Turkish political system since its founding.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1923-1938): The Founding Father

• Term October 29, 1923 – November 10, 1938
• Key Political Affiliation Republican People’s Party (CHP)

No figure looms larger in modern Turkish history than Mustafa Kemal, later granted the surname Atatürk ("Father of the Turks"). A distinguished military commander who led the Turkish War of Independence, Atatürk was the indispensable architect of the new republic.

Key Achievements and Legacy

• Secularism Instituted a strict separation of religion and state, abolishing the caliphate and closing religious courts.
• Westernization & Reforms Revolutionized society with the adoption of the Latin alphabet, Western legal codes (Swiss Civil, Italian Penal), and Gregorian calendar.
• Women's Rights Granted women the right to vote and be elected years before many European nations.
• Nationalism Promoted a unifying Turkish national identity, encapsulated in the slogan "Ne mutlu Türküm diyene!" (How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!).

Atatürk’s presidency was one of radical, top-down revolution. His Six Arrows—republicanism, nationalism, populism, statism, secularism, and revolution—defined the ruling CHP's ideology. His death in 1938 left a profound void, and his legacy remains the central, though often contested, pillar of the Turkish state.

İsmet İnönü (1938-1950): The National Chief

• Term November 11, 1938 – May 22, 1950
• Key Political Affiliation Republican People’s Party (CHP)

Atatürk’s trusted comrade-in-arms and prime minister, İnönü steered Turkey through the treacherous waters of World War II, maintaining a precarious but ultimately successful neutrality. His era is defined by the "National Chief" period.

Key Challenges and Policies

• Wartime Economy The "National Protection Law" led to a controlled economy, war profiteering ("varlık vergisi"), and shortages, but spared Turkey the devastation of combat.
• Transition to Multi-Party Politics Under internal and external pressure, İnönü allowed the establishment of opposition parties, most significantly the Democrat Party (DP) in 1946.
• Loss to Opposition In the first truly free elections in 1950, İnönü and the CHP peacefully ceded power, setting a crucial precedent for democratic transfer.

İnönü’s presidency was a bridge between the single-party era and competitive democracy, marked by austerity and a cautious political opening.

Celal Bayar (1950-1960): The First Civilian President from DP

• Term May 22, 1950 – May 27, 1960
• Key Political Affiliation Democrat Party (DP)

Bayar’s election marked the end of CHP's 27-year rule. As president, he represented the new, more conservative and liberal-economic face of Turkey, working closely with the charismatic Prime Minister Adnan Menderes.

Era Characteristics

• Economic Liberalization Shift from statism to encouraging private enterprise, with rapid growth in agriculture and infrastructure.
• Relaxation of Secularism Allowed greater public expression of religion, such as the reintroduction of the Arabic call to prayer.
• Mounting Tensions The DP's increasingly authoritarian rule, economic troubles, and societal polarization led to a climate of crisis.

Bayar’s term was abruptly ended by the 1960 military coup, Turkey's first direct military intervention in politics. He, along with Menderes, was tried and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted for Bayar due to his age, but Menderes was executed.

The Era of Military Interventions and "Guardian" Presidents (1961-1989)

This period was dominated by the military's role as self-appointed guardians of Atatürk's secular republic. After coups in 1960, 1971 (coup by memorandum), and 1980, the generals reshaped politics and often installed presidents to oversee a return to "order."

Cemal Gürsel (1961-1966)

The general who led the 1960 coup, he became president to oversee the new, more liberal 1961 Constitution. His tenure saw the establishment of a bicameral parliament and planning organizations.

Cevdet Sunay (1966-1973)

Another former military chief, Sunay's presidency witnessed severe political violence between left and right-wing factions, leading to the 1971 military memorandum.

Fahri Korutürk (1973-1980)

A former admiral, his term was paralyzed by fragmented parliaments, unstable coalition governments, and escalating terrorism, culminating in the 1980 coup.

Kenan Evren (1982-1989)

The general who led the brutal 1980 coup, Evren became president under the new, restrictive 1982 Constitution, which is still in effect today (with amendments). His presidency enforced a depoliticization of society and a restructuring of the economy.

Turgut Özal (1989-1993): The Liberal Reformer

• Term November 9, 1989 – April 17, 1993
• Key Political Affiliation Motherland Party (ANAP)

A pivotal figure, Özal first transformed Turkey's economy as Prime Minister (1983-1989) and continued as president. He represented a shift from state-centric to market-oriented policies.

Key Transformations

• Economic Revolution Deepened liberalization, export-led growth, and privatization, creating a new business class.
• Cultural Opening Relaxed restrictions on Kurdish language and culture (though conflict in the southeast intensified).
• Foreign Policy Cultivated closer ties with the West and initiated Turkey's bid for EU membership.
• Unexpected Death Died in office of a heart attack, leaving a legacy of profound economic and social change.

Süleyman Demirel (1993-2000): The Veteran Statesman

• Term May 16, 1993 – May 16, 2000
• Key Political Affiliation True Path Party (DYP)

A dominant figure who served seven times as Prime Minister, Demirel's presidency was marked by coalition politics, economic instability, and the rise of political Islam.

Presidency Highlights

• Secular Guardian Role Often clashed with the first pro-Islamist Prime Minister, Necmettin Erbakan, contributing to the "soft coup" that forced Erbakan's resignation in 1997.
• Economic Crises Oversaw a period of high inflation and political corruption.
• Symbol of Stability His long career made him a symbol of Turkey's post-war political establishment.

Ahmet Necdet Sezer (2000-2007): The Stalwart Secularist

• Term May 16, 2000 – August 28, 2007
• Background Former President of the Constitutional Court

A staunch secularist with no party affiliation, Sezer's presidency was defined by his fierce opposition to the rising Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Key Moments

• Guardian of Secularism Used his veto power extensively against AKP legislation he deemed threatening to secular principles.
• 2007 Presidential Crisis His term ended with a major political showdown. The AKP's nomination of Abdullah Gül was blocked by secularist forces (including the military), leading to early elections which the AKP won decisively.

Abdullah Gül (2007-2014): The Compromise President

• Term August 28, 2007 – August 28, 2014
• Key Political Affiliation Justice and Development Party (AKP)

Gül’s election was a landmark. As a former Islamist with a headscarf-wearing wife, his presidency symbolized the AKP's consolidation of power and the decline of military influence in politics.

Presidency Context

• First President from AKP His election followed the AKP's electoral victory in the face of military opposition.
• Ceremonial Role Largely acted within the traditional bounds of the office while Prime Minister Erdoğan wielded executive power.
• Symbolic Importance His tenure represented the normalization of Turkey's religious-conservative heartland within the halls of state power.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (2014-Present): The Executive President

• Term (as President) August 28, 2014 – Present
• Key Political Affiliation Justice and Development Party (AKP)

The most consequential political leader since Atatürk, Erdoğan’s move from Prime Minister (2003-2014) to President marked the beginning of Turkey's executive presidency system.

Transformations and Key Themes

• Constitutional Change The 2017 referendum abolished the prime ministership, granting the president power to appoint ministers, issue decrees, prepare the budget, and dissolve parliament.
• Centralization of Power The presidency has become the undisputed center of political authority, with a vast new presidential complex ("Cumhurbaşkanlığı Külliyesi") as its seat.
• Foreign Policy Pursued an assertive and independent "Blue Homeland" doctrine, with military interventions in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan, and complex relations with the EU, US, and Russia.
• Economic Management Direct presidential control over economic policy, facing challenges of high inflation and currency volatility.
• Domestic Politics Under his rule, Turkey has seen significant development projects but also increased polarization, and concerns over media freedom and judicial independence.

Erdoğan’s presidency signifies a definitive break with the parliamentary guardrails of the old system, embodying a new, powerful, and personalized model of leadership for Turkey.

Conclusion: The Evolution of Turkish Leadership

The presidents of Turkey mirror the nation's turbulent journey. From Atatürk's revolutionary étatisme to Özal's neoliberal turn, and from the military's guardian presidents to Erdoğan's powerful executive system, the office has adapted to and shaped Turkey's political soul.

Understanding these presidents is key to understanding Turkey's ongoing search for identity—between secularism and religion, nationalism and pluralism, parliamentary democracy and centralized authority. As Turkey looks to the future, the legacy of its past presidents continues to influence every debate and decision on its path forward. The story of the presidency is, in essence, the story of modern Turkey itself: complex, resilient, and perpetually in transformation.