Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the current Prime Minister of Turkey. He is also the leader of the Justice and Development Party.

During a debate at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 29, 2009, Erdogan openly criticized Israel for it's offensive in Gaza. Erdogan eventually walked off the stage in anger, and returned to Turkey the following day.CBC.ca: Turkish PM gets hero's welcome after shouting match... (January 30, 2009)

1. Born February 26, 1954
2. Birthplace: Istanbul, Turkey
3. Party: Justice and Development Party
4. Assumed office: March 14, 2003
5. Spouse: Emine Erdogan
6. Previous Position/Office: Mayor of Istanbul
7. Assumed Office: March 27, 1994
8. Left Office: November 6, 1998
9. Preceded by: Nurettin Sozen
10. Succeeded by: Ali Mufit Gurtuna
11. Awarded an honorary doctorate from University of Sarajevo

Erdogan first became associated with politics when he joined the National Salvation Party, in the late 1970s. He became the chairman of the party in 1986. In 1991, he gained a seat in Parliament. On March 27, 1994, Erdogan was elected as mayor of Istanbul. On March 14, 2003, Erdogan became Prime Minister of Turkey.

In 1998, Erdogan was sentenced to 10 months in prison for his Islamist sympathies. He only served four months, between March and July, of 1999.

During a debate at the 2009 World Economic Forum, Erdogan openly criticized Israel's offensive in Gaza, telling Israeli President Shimon Peres, "You kill people." When a moderator cut off his remarks, Erdogan "stormed off the stage" and returned to Turkey. More than 5,000 Hamas supporters greeted Erdogan's plane at the airport in Istanbul on the morning of January 30, 2009, many hailing him a "hero."CBC.ca: Turkish PM gets hero's welcome after shouting match... (January 30, 2009) Forum founder Klaus Schwab said Erdogan and Perez had "spoken by phone" since the incident, which he said was "closed."Market Watch: 'Incident closed' after Davos debate spurs walkout (January 30, 2009)