Turkish ministers and political figures on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), highlighting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership and the party’s quarter-century in Turkish politics.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi recalled Erdoğan’s remarks at the party’s founding on Aug. 14, 2001, when he declared that, “Nothing in Türkiye will ever be the same again.”

Çiftçi said the statement opened the door not only to a new political movement but also to a new era for Türkiye.

“Exactly 25 years have passed since that day,” Çiftçi stressed, adding that Erdoğan and the party had faced numerous challenges during that period.

He said Erdoğan had left a significant mark on Türkiye’s recent history through his leadership and policies, while maintaining a strong connection with the public.