Süleyman Soylu

Süleyman Soylu (born November 21, 1969) is a Turkish politician. He is also deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party.

Early life and business career

Süleyman Soylu was born in Istanbul on 21 November 1969. He graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Management. He started business career in Istanbul Stock Exchange. Now, he continues his business career with insurance company which was founded by himself; also his political career continues at the same time.

Political career

Democrat Party

He started politics at Democrat Party Istanbul Youth Branch in 1987. He took the positions of member of board of directorates, and chairman of the organization at youth branch of Democrat Party Istanbul.

In 1995, he was elected to the board of directorates in Gaziosmanpaşa branch, and with the congress held on 17 July 1995, he was elected as the chairman of the district at the age of 25. On 18 April 1999, he announced his candidacy for the mayor of Gaziosmanpaşa municipality which is district of Istanbul.

He became Democrat Party Istanbul Chairman on 29 April 1999 which makes him the youngest chairman in the Turkey at that time. He resigned from the presidency, which lasted 3.5 years, to run for the elections to become a Member of the Parliament of Turkey in 2002. Süleyman Soylu was elected for party leadership with the 4th Extraordinary Congress of Democrat Party on 6 January 2008. After being reelected for the leadership at the 9th Statutory Congress on 15 November 2008, he led his party for 29 March 2009 local elections. On 16 May 2009, at the congress, which took place according to his will, his party leadership ended.[1]

Afterwards, he participated in many conferences and panels upon invitations coming from various universities and civil societies all over the country.

Süleyman Soylu realized the vital importance of the change of constitution package, which was opened for referendum of 12 September 2010 for the transition and democratization of Turkey, organized a series of seminars with the title of “Democracy meetings”, and together with his friends by travelling all around Turkey, shared grounds for voting “yes”. Following these activities, he was expelled from his party.[2]

Justice and Development Party

Süleyman Soylu was invited into active politics Justice and Development Party by Chairman and the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and joined the Party on 5 September 2012.[3] On 30 September 2012, with the 4th Statutory General Congress of AK Party, he was elected for the Central Board of Executives, and became Deputy Chairman responsible for R&D Department.

References

  1. ↑ "DP seeks new leader after Soylu announces resignation". Today's Zaman. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "Democrat Party to expel former leader, yea-sayer Soylu". Today's Zaman. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Former Democrat Party leader joins ruling AK Party". Today's Zaman. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2013.