Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will celebrate the 16th anniversary of its establishment on Aug. 16. This year's celebrations will be held in Ankara with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who returned to the party ranks after the April 16 referendum opened the way for the president to have party affiliations.
Sources in the AK Party said that it was preparing to celebrate the anniversary with a ceremony in Ankara's Sincan district, the stage of the 1997 coup d'etat, also known as the "postmodern coup," which ousted the then elected government led by Necmettin Erbakan.
Party sources added that invitations will be sent out to those who have worked and contributed to the AK Party, namely, all former ministers, mayors, and AK Party founders. Former President Abdullah Gül and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu were also expected to be present. At the event, President Erdoğan is expected to underline the party's principles as well as the importance of hard work with the general and presidential elections scheduled for 2019.
