Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party marks 50 years

By Ibrahim

ANKARA

Turkey's opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on Saturday celebrated its 50th anniversary.

"Thank Allah, we are in the same place where the MHP was founded, we're on the same line and in pursuit of the same will after 50 years," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said at a commemorative program in southern Turkey’s Adana province.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has an election and parliamentary alliance with the MHP, also hailed the party's anniversary at a campaign rally in the Aegean province of Aydin ahead of March 31 local elections.

AK Party spokesman Omer Celik and Vice Chair Julide Sarieroglu were also in attendance.

Alparslan Turkes founded the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in 1969 and remained its leader until his death in 1997.

Bahceli has headed the party since 1997.