Islamist New Welfare Party decides to join ruling coalition after chairman's meeting with Erdoğan

The Islamist New Welfare Party (YRP) joined the ruling coalition People’s Alliance at the last moment before election protocols were submitted to the High Election Board (YSK) on March 24. Also, the radical Islamist Free Cause Party (HÜDA-PAR) announced that they will run in the general elections under the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) deputy list.

Friday March 24 2023 06:10 pm

This photo shows New Welfare Party leader Fatih Erbakan.

Duvar English

Sunni-Islamist New Welfare Party (YRP) joined the ruling coalition People’s Alliance one hour before the submission of the election protocols to the High Election Board (YSK) on March 24.

Also, the radical Islamist Free Cause Party (HÜDA-PAR) announced that they will run in the general elections under the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) deputy list.

Genel Başkanımız Sayın @zyapicioglu: 14 Mayıs 2023 tarihinde yapılacak parlamento seçimlerinde AK Parti listelerinde seçimlere girme kararı aldık. Hayırlara vesile olsun.#HÜDAPAR pic.twitter.com/ikCVOuTe0d
— HÜDA PAR (@HurDavaPartisi) March 24, 2023

New Welfare Party leader Fatih Erbakan had announced on March 20 that his party would not join any alliance and he would run as a presidential candidate in the elections scheduled for May 14.

In a TV program, he stated that AKP and YRP could not agree upon their 30-point demand list which includes anti-LGBTI+ clauses and the withdrawal from Law No. 6284 to Protect Family and Prevent Violence Against Women.

However, in a change of decision, Erbakan said on March 24 that after meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he reached an agreement on "principles" with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The People’s Alliance consists of the AKP, the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the far-right conservative Great Unity Party (BBP), and YRP as of March 24.