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Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi

Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, commonly referred to as AK Parti, is a conservative political party in Turkey. Founded in 2001 by a broad spectrum of politicians from several right-wing traditions, the party quickly rose to become a dominant force in Turkish politics. Under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the party has been in power since 2002, undertaking significant reforms in areas like economy, health, and education while facing criticism on issues related to human rights and freedom of speech. Combining elements of conservatism and Islamism, the party's ideology often described as a departure from secularist policies, aligns with the concept of 'conservative democracy'.