Justice is a word frequently used in Islamist parties’ names. In Turkey, it's also part of the ruling party's name: the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The promising and iconic name helped the party capitalize on Turks' two deepest concerns in the early 2000s. Yet, even though his party has been in power for 17 years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s quest for "justice" hasn't stopped. For example, Erdogan regularly complains about how his children faced difficulties because they attended religion-based schools, which have a lower college acceptance rate than other schools.

As his grip on power tightened, Erdogan’s rhetoric demanding justice grew and became bitter.

After the July 2016 coup attempt, international and local observers expressed their concerns about the loss of judicial independence. Erdogan's administration frequently ridiculed them.

However, Erdogan openly and loudly still plays the victim demanding justice. For instance, Erdogan said in October, “I am looking for justice as well; it doesn’t exist,” while criticizing US President Donald Trump and the West for their treatment of Muslims. On Jan. 10 he was quoted as saying, “Delayed justice is not justice.” He congratulated the authorities who, on his direction, purged more than 4,000 judges allegedly associated with outlawed cleric Fethullah Gulen.