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The AKP's manifest destiny

The AKP sees itself as the embodiment of a holy mission, which is willed and perhaps even predestined by God.
Turkey's Prime Minister and leader of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during a party meeting in Istanbul September 22, 2012. The party's September 30, 2012 congress is unlikely to offer any sign Erdogan, viewed by many Turks as their strongest leader since Ataturk, is loosening his grip on a heavily-centralised party or on the country as a whole.  Picture taken September 22, 2012. To match story TURKEY-AKP/  REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR38FHK

In a much anticipated event Aug. 21, Turkish President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his successor as prime minister: Ahmet Davutoglu. Known as the mastermind of Turkish foreign policy since 2003, Davutoglu then gave a short address. Thanking his colleagues, the academic-turned-politician also made remarks about the meaning of the mission of his party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP). He said:

"The AKP began as the movement of a generation, but it is not limited to a generation. It is not even limited with generations and centuries. It is the name of a struggle for justice and right that originates from the depths of centuries and which will continue until the end of times."

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