Mahmut Arıkan Elected as President of the Turkish Felicity Party
In a significant political shift, Mahmut Arıkan has been elected as the sixth president of the Turkish Felicity Party during the 9th General Congress held on November 24, 2024. Arıkan, a civil engineer by profession, garnered an impressive 823 out of 1,026 votes, defeating his closest rival, Beyul Aydın, who received 221 votes. This election marks a pivotal moment for the party, as Arıkan succeeds Temel Karamollaoğlu, who resigned due to health issues after a lengthy leadership since 2016.
Born in 1977 in Kayseri, Türkiye, Mahmut Arıkan has been an influential figure within the Felicity Party, known for his strong ties to the party's youth base. His political journey began with the founding of the party, where he held various leadership roles, including head of youth affairs and regional head. His visibility in Turkish politics increased notably during the 2019 local elections when he ran for mayor of Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality. Although he did not win, he continued to build his political profile, eventually becoming a deputy chairman and then a representative in the Turkish parliament in 2023.
Arıkan's election as party president comes at a time when Türkiye faces significant political and economic challenges. In his victory speech, he emphasized the importance of unity and resilience within the party to navigate these hurdles, stating that the conference symbolizes a new step towards achieving the party's objectives.
