Liberal Democratic Party (Turkey)

Liberal Democratic Party (Turkish: Liberal Demokrat Parti, LDP) is a classical liberal party in Turkey. LDP was founded in 1994 as “Liberal Parti” by Turkish entrepreneur Besim Tibuk. According to data published in January 2023, the party has 4,579 members.

Liberal Democratic Party
Liberal Demokrat Parti
AbbreviationLDP
LeaderGültekin Tırpancı
General SecretaryKaan Alper[1]
FounderBesim Tibuk
Founded26 July 1994 (1994-07-26)
Split fromDemocrat Party
HeadquartersMeşrutiyet Caddesi No: 23 Kızılay – Ankara
Youth wingYoung Dolphins[2]
Membership (2023)Decrease 4,579[3]
IdeologyClassical liberalism
Liberal democracy
Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism
Political positionCentre
Colours  Blue
  White
Slogan• Özgürlüğümü seviyorum! (I love my freedom!)
• Sana güveniyor! (Believes in you!)
Website
https://www.ldp.org.tr/

Tibuk was the advisor of Turkish President Turgut Özal until Özal died on 17 April 1993. After the death of Turgut Özal, Besim Tibuk decided to found a new party to emphasize the liberal movement in Turkey. Tibuk first founded the party as "Liberal Party", following the "1994 Liberal Democratic Party Ordinary Congress" Party's name then changed from the Liberal Party to "Liberal Democratic Party". After the failure of his party in the 2002 general elections, Tibuk resigned. Cem Toker was the leader of LDP from 20 June 2005 to 29 January 2017. Since then, Gültekin Tırpancı has been the leader of the party.

Policies

Presidential system

LDP advocates changing Turkey's parliamentary system, arguing that it brings political instability and believes that the U.S. style presidential system with two round system should be implemented.[4] LDP also supported the "No!” vote in the 2017 Turkish constitutional referendum, arguing that proposed amendments have nothing related with presidential system.[5]

SMB's

LDP supports low taxation. The party believes that only 3 types of taxes should be implented; income tax, which it believes that it should be levied on businesses employing more than 5 people, consumption tax, which it believes that it should be levied only on the end consumer, and property tax, to finance municipal costs.[6][7]

LDP's campaign for the Turkish 2015 general election "Senin oy'un herşeyi değiştirecek!" (Your vote will change everything!)

LDP supports the abolition of government agencies such as the SBB and supports the simplification of company establishment and closure procedures. LDP opposes all government agency enforced taxes. LDP supports the abolition of compulsory membership in chambers of industry and commerce.[6][7]

LGBT rights

LDP believes that LGBT rights fall within the scope of individual freedoms, and advocates tax exemption for donations made to non-governmental organisations providing education on LGBT rights and supports increased penalties for violence against LGBT people. LDP has also stated that it supports pride parades in Turkiye.[8]

Women's rights

LDP supports increased penalties for violence against women and advocates tax exemption for donations to non-governmental organisations providing education on women's rights.[8]

Party leaders
#LeaderPortraitTook officeLeft officeTime in office
1 Besim Tibuk
26 July 1994 25 November 2002 8 years, 122 days
2 Cem Toker 20 June 2005 29 January 2017 11 years, 223 days
3 Gültekin Tırpancı 29 January 2017 Incumbent 6 years, 269 days

Turkish general elections performance
Election date Party leader Total votes Percentage of the total votes Deputies (number)
1999 Turkish general electionBesim Tibuk127,1740.4%0/550
2002 Turkish general electionBesim Tibuk89,1770.3%0/550
2007 Turkish general electionCem Toker36,7170.1%0/550
2011 Turkish general electionCem Toker15,5990.04%0/550
June 2015 Turkish general electionCem Toker27,1670.06%0/550
November 2015 Turkish general electionCem Toker26,8160.1%0/550
2018 Turkish general election Gültekin Tırpancı Not eligible to contest 0/600
2023 Turkish general election Gültekin Tırpancı Not eligible to contest 0/600

See also

References
  1. "Genel Merkez Teşkilatı | Liberal Demokrat Parti".
  2. "@gencyunuslarldp" on Twitter
  3. "Liberal Demokrat Parti" (in Turkish). Court of Cassation. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  4. "Başkanlık Sistemi | Liberal Demokrat Parti". 2013-10-21. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  5. Güney, A. Erkan (2017-02-24). "LDP: Başkanlığı savunuyor, 'hayır' diyoruz". Gazete Duvar (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  6. "Para Finansman Vergi" [Money Financing Taxation]. LDP (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  7. "Ekonomi" [Economy]. LDP (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  8. "İnsan Hakları & Demokrasi" [Human Rights & Democracy]. LDP (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-06-12.
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