Aydın Güven Gürkan facts for kids

Aydın Güven Gürkan (born May 10, 1941 – died January 22, 2006) was an important Turkish academic and politician. He was known for his work as a professor and for leading political parties in Turkey.

Growing Up and Studying

Aydın Güven Gürkan was born in Elazığ, Turkey, on May 10, 1941. He finished his studies at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Ankara University in 1963. Later, in 1970, he earned his doctorate degree from the University of Cologne in Germany. He received the highest honors for his work there.

After returning to Turkey, Gürkan became a professor. He also served as the dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Gazi University. In 1981, he left his job to protest a new rule by the Council of Higher Education. This council oversees universities in Turkey.

Starting a Political Career

In 1981, the military took control in Turkey for a short time. They closed all political parties. In 1983, the military government, called the National Security Council, allowed new parties to form. But there were strict rules.

Aydın Güven Gürkan joined a new party called the People's Party (HP). This party followed the ideas of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The CHP is famous for founding the Turkish Republic in 1923. In the first elections after the military rule, Gürkan was chosen as a representative from Antalya Province.

Leading the Opposition

On July 1, 1985, Aydın Güven Gürkan was elected as the leader of the People's Party. His party was the main opposition party in the Turkish parliament. This meant they were the biggest party not in power.

By 1985, two other parties with similar ideas were becoming more popular. Gürkan decided to combine his party with these others. He wanted to create a stronger group. Even though the leader of one party, Bülent Ecevit of the DSP, was not sure, Gürkan and Erdal İnönü agreed. İnönü was the leader of another party called SODEP.

On November 3, 1985, the two parties joined together. They formed the Social Democrat Populist Party (SHP). Gürkan was chosen as the first leader of this new party. However, in 1986, Erdal İnönü took over as the party leader.

Later Political Life

After leading the SHP, Gürkan served as the party's vice chairman for a time. In 1991, he was elected as a representative again, this time from Mersin Province.

During the 1990s, he became the Minister of Labour and Social Security. This was when the DYP and SHP parties formed a government together. Later, in 1995, the SHP joined with the Republican People's Party (CHP). After this, Gürkan became less active in politics. He eventually left the CHP. He briefly joined the New Turkey Party in 2002, but he did not stay in politics for long after that.

Illness and Passing

Aydın Güven Gürkan passed away on January 22, 2006. He died in a hospital in Istanbul. He had been battling stomach cancer for three years. He had surgery for his stomach a year and a half before and was receiving treatment. He also had a heart attack one month before his death.

Gürkan was survived by his wife, Serap Aksoy, who is an actress. He also left behind his daughter, Burcu Gürkan. He was laid to rest in Tuzla Cemetery.