The Motherland Party (MP) in Turkish Political Life and the role of Turgut Özal in MP between 1983-93

In Turkey, leaders of political parties have always loomed large both in the formation of the cadre while founding the party through their charisma and in the political impact of the party during political struggle.Similarly the main contribution and efforts regarding the shaping of the party programme, assembling people from different backgrounds and thoughts and the success to qualify to attend the 1983 elections in Motherland Party (MP) no doubt stemmed from Turgut Özal. Since Özal was so effective during the founding of the MP, his impact continued also in the following years.In fact, MP was a new party formed of a strong coalition. However, Özal was the only effective figure who applied his programme and exposed his capability over economic issues. This situation was the clear indication of the fact that the party was founded by a single man and therefore MP can be qualified as ?a charismatic leader party? from the beginning.Özal was the last decision maker in the party. Definitely, the last word has always belonged to him. However, until this moment Özal holds intensive meetings, investigations and contacts. Özal also was so effective in ministerial appointment and determination of the candidates for parliament.The reason for the setback of MP since 1989 was the inability of the charismatic leader Özal anyhow to produce more miracles and his loss of credibility. Thus, it is hard to defend that MP was not ?a charismatic leader party?, since the closing of MP in 2009 after integration with Democrat Party under same umbrella and the failure of the all leaders after Özal to turn back the party to its old splendid days is a clear verification of this thought.