Devlet Bahceli vs Yair Lapid

Devlet Bahceli was elected as the chairman of the MHP on July 6, 1997, following the death of Alparslan Turkes. He transformed the party from a radical nationalist group into a mainstream political force, focusing on Turkish nationalism and secularism.

Bahceli led the MHP into a coalition government with the Democratic Left Party and the Motherland Party in 1999. He served as Deputy Prime Minister until 2002. The coalition was marked by economic reforms and the capture of Abdullah Ocalan.

Bahceli's MHP supported the AKP's constitutional referendum in 2017, which transformed Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. This alliance was controversial within the MHP and led to internal splits, but it solidified Bahceli's role as a kingmaker.

In 2018, Bahceli formed the People's Alliance with President Erdogan's AKP for the general elections. This alliance has dominated Turkish politics, giving Bahceli significant influence despite the MHP's smaller size.

Lapid founded the centrist Yesh Atid party, entering politics after a career as a journalist and TV host. The party focused on social and economic issues, including ending ultra-Orthodox military exemptions.

Lapid served as Minister of Finance from 2013 to 2014 under Prime Minister Netanyahu. He implemented economic reforms including tax cuts and housing measures, but faced criticism over budget deficits.

Lapid became Prime Minister in July 2022 as part of a rotation agreement with Naftali Bennett. He served until November 2022, when elections brought Benjamin Netanyahu back to power.

As opposition leader, Lapid led protests and parliamentary opposition against the Netanyahu government's judicial reform plan, which critics said would weaken the Supreme Court and democratic checks.