Even though there was only one candidate, a quarrel erupted during the congress for the party's new Central Executive Board (MYK). Delegates who support Erbakan and those behind current leader Kurtulmuş fought over the party administration list. During the party congress, Kurtulmuş presented his "white list" for the party's MYK. However, Erbakan presented another list, titled the "green list," for the MYK.
Erbakan wanted to include his daughter Elif Erbakan, his son Fatih Erbakan, his son-in-law Mehmet Altınöz, Orhan Altınöz -- the older brother of his son-in-law -- and Ayşenur Tekdal, who is the daughter of Ahmet Tekdal, a die-hard supporter of Erbakan, and one of the party's elders. Kurtulmuş was listed as the leader on the green list.
Kurtulmuş and his followers refused to be listed or a part of the green list. The fight began at this point, and Erbakan asked his supporters to leave the congress. The crisis erupted when Kurtulmuş, who got angry over Erbakan including close friends and family members, announced that he withdrew from Erbakan’s “green list.” Kurtulmuş included only one person on his own list who was on Erbakan’s list, Recai Kutan. Erbakan’s supporters later began leaving the meeting, calling on everyone who loves Erbakan not to cast a vote. The voting session began in the wake of these disputes, and despite everything, Kurtulmuş was re-elected during the third round with 310 votes. Kurtulmuş was elected to the leadership during the 2008 congress with the support of 924 of 946 delegates.
Although Kurtulmuş emerged as victor and was re-elected, the fact that he was able to be re-elected only during the third round is a sign that a tough period has begun within the party since Kurtulmuş was able to get the support of only 310 out of 1,250 delegates. Only 634 delegates cast a vote since Erbakan’s supporters had left the congress. The resignation of many delegates is expected soon.
The recent tension within the National View political movement, which dates back to 1969, is perceived as the second major step for change within the movement. Kurtulmuş in his speech also emphasized the renewal of the party, saying change is the only means for improvement. In his address to the gathering, Kurtulmuş said: “This congress is a congress with which the SP will rear up. We are beginning a new period starting today. We will walk to power with a new political style. We have to improve but also retain our core as before.”
In the 2000 congress of the Virtue Party (FP), another party of the movement, the first pro-change front within the movement led by current President Abdullah Gül ran against Erbakan’s candidate, Kutan, but Kutan won the race. This defeat accelerated the establishment of the now-ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Some evaluate the recent victory of Kurtulmuş as the removal of all traces of Erbakan. But Kurtulmuş is also in the hot seat since he was unable to win the support of the majority of the 1,250 delegates.
