New Welfare Party

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi) is a political party in Turkey that was established on 23 November 2018. It positions itself as the successor to the Welfare Party (Refah Partisi), which was a prominent political force in Turkey during the 1990s but was banned in 1998. The New Welfare Party aims to continue the political legacy of the Welfare Party, advocating for conservative and Islamist policies within the framework of Turkish politics.

History[edit | edit source]

The original Welfare Party was founded in 1983 and rose to prominence under the leadership of Necmettin Erbakan. It represented a blend of political Islam with Turkish nationalism and conservatism, advocating for policies that emphasized social justice, economic development, and the integration of Islamic principles with state governance. The party achieved significant electoral success and led a coalition government from 1996 to 1997 before being forced to resign in what is known as the "post-modern coup." The Constitutional Court of Turkey eventually banned the Welfare Party in 1998 for violating the principles of the secular state.

Following the ban, former members and supporters of the Welfare Party established several new parties, including the Virtue Party (Fazilet Partisi), the Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi), and the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi or AKP). Each of these parties, in different ways, carried forward the political and ideological legacy of the Welfare Party.

The New Welfare Party was established by Fatih Erbakan, the son of Necmettin Erbakan, with the aim of reviving his father's political vision and re-establishing a political platform for their supporters. The party seeks to address contemporary issues in Turkey while adhering to the principles of its predecessor, focusing on social justice, economic development, and the role of Islam in public life.

Political Position[edit | edit source]

The New Welfare Party is often described as a conservative and Islamist party. It advocates for policies that are intended to strengthen the role of Islam in Turkish society, promote family values, and address economic inequalities. The party also emphasizes the importance of national sovereignty and opposes what it perceives as foreign intervention in Turkey's domestic affairs.

Electoral Performance[edit | edit source]

Since its establishment, the New Welfare Party has participated in local and national elections. However, it has struggled to achieve the level of electoral success enjoyed by the original Welfare Party in the 1990s. The political landscape in Turkey has evolved, with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) becoming the dominant conservative and Islamist force in Turkish politics. This has made it challenging for the New Welfare Party to distinguish itself and gain significant electoral support.

Future Prospects[edit | edit source]

The New Welfare Party continues to work towards increasing its visibility and influence in Turkish politics. It aims to attract voters who are nostalgic for the Welfare Party's era and those who are disillusioned with the current political options. The party's success will depend on its ability to present a compelling alternative to the existing political parties and to address the concerns and aspirations of the Turkish people.


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD