Nationalist Movement Party
Turkish far-right nationalist party led by Devlet Bahçeli; the AKP's People's Alliance partner.
On 27 October 2026 the MHP lined up with its AKP allies on a Turkish parliamentary committee to approve ratifying the Mecca defence pact. Its votes make the pact's final passage a formality.
Last refreshed: 29 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Nationalist Movement Party
Voted for the ratification bill
Iran Conflict 2026: Turkish MPs back Mecca pact in committeeBackground
Alparslan Türkeş renamed his Republican Villagers Nation Party the Nationalist Movement Party on 9 February 1969; the present party was re-established in 1993. Devlet Bahçeli has led it since July 1997. It stands on Turkey's far-right nationalist flank.
The MHP holds about 46 of the 600 seats in the Grand national assembly. It has been the AKP's partner in the People's Alliance since 2018, and its seats are what give that alliance a majority. Since 2018 Bahçeli's backing has been the condition for most government legislation.
Its vote on the Mecca pact followed that pattern. MHP members supported the ratification bill at committee stage, and the opposition's call for a sub-committee review failed.
Who leads the MHP in Turkey?
Is the MHP part of the Turkish government?
How did the MHP vote on the Mecca defence pact?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 29 October 2026. Editorial standards.