Justice Party in Kastamonu press (1965-1973)

Following the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1938, İsmet İnönü assumed the presidency, marking the beginning of the "National Chief Era" in Turkish political life. During this period, the Republican People's Party held absolute power as the sole ruling party. However, social and political dynamics, along with the influence of World War II and a gradual shift in the Republican People's Party's authoritarian stance, paved the way for a transition to a multi- party system. The establishment of the National Development Party in 1945 and the Democrat Party in 1946 were key milestones in this process. The Democrat Party came to power in 1950 but was dissolved following the military coup in 1960.In response, the Justice Party was founded in 1961 under the leadership of retired General Ragıp Gümüşpala. Seen by the public as the spiritual successor of the Democrat Party, the Justice Party quickly garnered broad support. With its emphasis on center-right politics and responsiveness to public demands, it became a prominent actor in Turkish political life.This is the primary focus of news about the Justice Party published in the newspapers Açıksöz, Adalet, Terazi, Yeni Kastamonu, and Hür Anadolu, published in Kastamonu between 1965 and 1973, covering the relevant time periods. The party's election campaigns, rallies, candidate promotions, and propaganda activities at the local level are analyzed. Additionally, the Küre'nin Sesi newspaper, published in the Küre district of Kastamonu province, the Azdavay Haftası newspaper, published in the Azdavay district, the Cide Postası newspaper, published in the Cide district, and the Tosya Açıksöz newspaper, published in the Tosya district, are used to carry out district elections. Various academic developments and archival reports are examined to analyze the Justice Party's political influence in Kastamonu. KEYWORDS: Justice Party, Kastamonu, Newspaper, Vote