Binali Yıldırım

Binali Yıldırım, born on December twentieth, nineteen fifty-five, is a prominent Turkish politician and marine engineer who served as the twenty-seventh and last Prime Minister of Turkey from two thousand sixteen to two thousand eighteen. He also held the position of Speaker of the Grand National Assembly from two thousand eighteen to two thousand nineteen. As a key figure in the Justice and Development Party (AKP), he led the party from two thousand sixteen to two thousand seventeen before becoming the parliamentary leader until two thousand eighteen.

Yıldırım's political career began when he was elected as an AKP Member of Parliament for Istanbul's first electoral district during the two thousand two general election. His tenure as Minister of Transport commenced under Prime Minister Abdullah Gül and continued when Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took office in two thousand three. During this time, he oversaw significant infrastructure projects, including the Marmaray and high-speed rail lines, although he faced criticism following the Pamukova train derailment in two thousand four.

In two thousand thirteen, Yıldırım left his ministerial role due to a cabinet reshuffle and ran for Mayor of İzmir in the two thousand fourteen local elections, but was defeated. He returned to Parliament in the November two thousand fifteen general election and was reappointed as Transport Minister by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Following a leadership change in the AKP, Yıldırım was elected as the party leader and formed the sixty-fifth government of Turkey, becoming Prime Minister on May twenty-fourth, two thousand sixteen.

As Prime Minister, Yıldırım was known for his close alignment with Erdoğan and played a crucial role in the transition from a parliamentary system to an executive presidency. After the constitutional referendum in two thousand seventeen, which favored the 'Yes' vote despite allegations of electoral irregularities, he resigned as AKP leader in favor of Erdoğan. The office of Prime Minister was abolished following this referendum.

Yıldırım's political journey continued as he was the AKP nominee for Mayor of Istanbul in both the March and June two thousand nineteen elections, ultimately losing to CHP candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. Despite controversies surrounding his tenure, including a government corruption scandal and his views on government surveillance, Yıldırım remains a significant figure in Turkish politics.