Political life in Balikesir (1946-1960)

With the establishment of the Democrat Party on January 7, 1946, a multi-party political life was initiated and a rival party was formed to the Republican People's Party, which has been in power for 23 years. After its establishment, the Democrat Party, which entered the process of being organized all over the country, completed its organization in a short time in Balıkesir. So much so that when it came to the 1946 elections, the Democrat Party organized in all districts of Balıkesir. Democrat Party, which won the support of the people of Balıkesir in a short time, won the 1950, 1954 and 1957 elections and took the title of "Democratic Party's Fortress" for the province of Balıkesir. In the face of the DP's great success in Balıkesir, an environment of interparty competition emerged first with the CHP, then with the Republican Nation Party and the Liberty Party, and this competitive environment was also reflected in the political life of Balıkesir. In this study, the struggles between the parties, the rivalries between the parties, important days and events, and the power race between the parties in the political life in Balikesir between 1946-1960 were examined. Especially in this period, although the Republican People's Party,and Democrat Party were at the forefront in Balıkesir, the Republican Nation Party and Liberty Party did not give up the elections and the race to win the voters in Balıkesir. Keywords: Democratic Party, Republican People's Party, Freedom Party, Republican Nationality Party, Balikesir.