The twenty-third prime minister of Turkey, Necmettin Erbakan, held office from 1996 to 1997, marking a pivotal period in the country's governance. A trained mechanical engineer who transitioned into a career as a university teacher, he spent decades at the center of national politics, shaping several Islamic political parties while navigating significant tensions with secular state authorities.
Academic and Technical Background
Born in 1926 in Sinop, Erbakan followed an extensive academic path that led to his expertise in mechanical engineering. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University in 1948, he continued his studies at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. His professional background included work in the research and development department at the Deutz AG factories, where he contributed to studies on Leopard tank engines. He returned to academia as a lecturer at Istanbul Technical University and attained the rank of professor in 1965.
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Take the IQ test →The Rise of Millî Görüş
Erbakan founded the political movement known as Millî Görüş, which advocated for increased domestic autonomy by prioritizing religious values and strengthening ties with Muslim-majority nations. To advance this ideology, he established or led a series of parties throughout the late twentieth century, including the National Order Party, the National Salvation Party, the Welfare Party, the Virtue Party, and finally the Felicity Party. These organizations frequently faced legal scrutiny from Turkish secular authorities.
Premiership and Regional Foreign Policy
In 1996, Erbakan formed a coalition government alongside Tansu Çiller and the True Path Party. His time as prime minister was defined by attempts to pivot foreign policy toward Arab nations and propose alternative structures like an Islamic currency and security organization. These efforts encountered domestic resistance and external scrutiny, particularly during a high-profile tour of Egypt, Nigeria, and Libya. Ongoing pressure from the Turkish military and judicial challenges regarding the separation of religion and state eventually forced his resignation in 1997.
Legal Challenges and Later Years
Following his term as prime minister, Erbakan faced significant legal hurdles. The Constitutional Court banned his Welfare Party for allegedly violating constitutional mandates regarding the state's secular nature. He was later embroiled in the Lost Trillion Case, which involved the alleged misuse of Treasury grants, resulting in a prison sentence of two years and four months. Despite these legal bans, he remained active in public life until his death in 2011 in Ankara. He is buried at the Merkezefendi Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1926, Sinop
- Died: 2011, Ankara
- Education: Istanbul Technical University, RWTH Aachen University
- Prime Minister of Turkey: 1996-1997
- Professional roles: Engineer, university teacher, politician
- Buried: Merkezefendi Cemetery
- Religion: Sunni Islam
Questions readers ask
What was the Millî Görüş movement?
It was a political ideology founded by Erbakan that sought to increase Turkey's self-reliance by emphasizing religious values and fostering closer relations with other Muslim countries.
Why did Erbakan step down as Prime Minister?
He faced mounting pressure from the Turkish military and the political establishment due to his foreign policy initiatives and concerns regarding his party's commitment to secular state principles.
Achievements
- Educated at RWTH Aachen University, University of London and King Saud University
- Worked as politician, engineer and university teacher
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