Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is a prominent Turkish politician who has served as the President of Turkey since August 28, 2014. He previously held the position of Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014 and was the Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. Born on February 26, 1954, in Istanbul, Erdoğan began his political career in the Islamist Welfare Party before co-founding the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001.

Under Erdoğan’s leadership, the AKP has transformed Turkey’s political landscape, promoting a mix of conservative social policies and economic liberalization. His administration has been credited with significant economic growth and infrastructure development, but it has also faced criticism for increasing authoritarianism, particularly after a failed coup in 2016 that led to widespread purges and crackdowns on dissent.

Erdoğan's foreign policy has been marked by a more assertive stance in regional affairs, navigating complex relationships with neighboring countries, the European Union, and the United States. His leadership has also seen the rise of nationalism and a shift toward a presidential system of governance, which was solidified by a 2017 referendum.

Despite ongoing economic challenges and political opposition, Erdoğan remains a central figure in Turkish politics, shaping the country’s direction both domestically and internationally.