Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is set to launch a nationwide renewal effort, starting with local congresses on Oct.12, as the party seeks to adapt to the country's evolving political landscape. The meetings leading up to the 8th Grand Congress aim to gather input from party members and the public, shaping the party’s approach ahead of key political milestones, including the 2028 general elections.

The congress will be held under the theme "Türkiye Meetings," borrowing the slogan "The Name of Hope, Action, and the Future is AK Party" from the party's 23rd-anniversary celebrations.

During a recent event in the capital, Ankara, President and AK Party Chairperson Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking ahead of the congress process, highlighted the importance of an extensive pool of ideas gathered during the "Türkiye Meetings." He emphasized that the party would draw heavily from the criticisms and suggestions raised during these meetings throughout the Congress process.

Following the "Türkiye Meetings," the AK Party is reportedly expected to introduce two initiatives: the "white ballot" system and a "brainstorming session with the party organization."

Under the "white ballot" initiative, the party plans to set up thousands of stands in towns and districts, each featuring a box labeled "To My President." Citizens will be encouraged to submit their written suggestions, requests and complaints, which will be delivered directly to Erdoğan. The party leadership will collect and deliver these inputs from the public to Erdoğan, district by district, ensuring no intervention in the citizen submissions.

AK Party's five questions

The "brainstorming session with the party organization" involves sending a letter, signed by Erdoğan, to approximately 400,000 party delegates. The letter, starting with "Dear comrades of the cause," seeks input from the party’s members on five key questions as the party gears up for the 2028 general elections. The questions are as follows: