Congratulatory messages poured in from both citizens and politicians on the occasion of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 72nd birthday. Thousands of citizens shared their wishes on social media for President Erdoğan’s health and long life in his new year. In the posts, the expressions “Erdoğan is a man of the nation”, “72 years of service” and “A lifetime of service to the nation”, “Hope for the oppressed, inspiration for future generations” and “Happy New Year Chief” came to the fore.

HE MADE HISTORY

Born on February 26, 1954 in Kasımpaşa, Istanbul, President Erdoğan left his mark on Türkiye’s political history. Erdogan, who left his mark in every period in his political march, successfully emerged from the struggles he entered with the identity of “man of the nation” with the support of the nation.

Erdoğan, who was MSP Istanbul Youth Branch President in 1976 and Welfare Party Provincial President in 1985, was elected as Istanbul Mayor in 1994.

Erdoğan, who was imprisoned for 4 months for the poem he read in 1997, further strengthened his strong bond with the nation when the AK Party, which he founded with his friends in 2001, came to power in 2002.

Erdoğan, who emerged victorious in every election he participated in, pioneered the steps that paved the way for Türkiye.

Türkiye under the leadership of Erdoğan, who adopted the motto ‘He who works with love is tireless’; It has experienced great changes in many areas, from transformation in health to transportation investments, from breakthroughs in the defense industry to social policies. City hospitals, divided roads, bridges, tunnels and domestic defense projects were among the symbolic actions of this period.

Erdoğan, who foiled all the traps set for the country, one by one, with the support of the nation, from the fight against tutelage centers to the fight against terrorism, from the Gezi events to the treacherous coup attempt of July 15, became the architect of the Türkiye Century vision that prepared Türkiye for great ideals.

BIRTHDAY GIFT FROM BAHÇELİ TO ERDOĞAN

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli celebrated President Erdoğan’s birthday. It was stated that Bahçeli gifted Erdoğan with a flower consisting of 72 roses and a specially designed painting for his birthday. In the table, the map of Islamic countries was processed by laser engraving method; It was reported that the name of Allah was written on the upper part and the name of “Our Prophet” was written on the lower part. It was noted that the 1st and 2nd verses of the Conquest Surah were included in the map, and the names of the four caliphs were included in the corners of the work. It was stated that the table, in which Anatolian Turkish patterns were processed as laser engravings, used zircon stone decorations, was prepared in metal layers with jewelery work, and was colored with a special enamel painting method.

President Erdoğan said that the new Türkiye will rise on the shoulders of young people. Speaking at the iftar program attended by KYK students, national athletes and young people at Beştepe Nation Exhibition Hall, Erdoğan gave the following messages:

Throughout my half-century political life, I have always walked with young people. I valued being a fighting partner with young people. The political support of young people has been our most important motivation in every period of our struggle. We had young people with us in the Istanbul Mayoral elections, which we won despite all the odds. There were young people among the flood of people who saw us off as we went to prison because of a poem we read. When we founded the AK Party as the hope of the nation, young people were with us the most. We brought Türkiye to this day with you.

When I look at this beautiful community before me, I see the Turkish Century. We have only one goal, and that is to leave behind works that will be remembered as a pleasant sound in this eternal dome. We will continue to run with the love of the first day for the global power Türkiye, and we will be at the command and service of our nation. In recent years, Türkiye has been making breakthroughs that many countries follow with envy. It is carrying out a historical transformation in our country in every field. You, our youth, have an important share in the defense of the homeland as well as in the progress of our country. You, the young people, have worked hard in many fields, from UAVs and UCAVs to space studies.

I feel proud when I interview more than 3,500 young people in the defense industry. TEKNOFEST youth, who proudly listen to our National Anthem all over the world, is flowing noisily in its bed. We expanded our Youth Centers across the country.

We have made serious investments in the sports infrastructure of our country. We have tried and are trying to be with you, young people, and pave the way for you in every field, including education, politics, sports, industry and technology. I wholeheartedly congratulate our athletes who are a source of pride with the medals they brought to our country.

You are the future of this nation. You will rule this country tomorrow. The new Türkiye, the great and powerful Türkiye, will rise on your shoulders. I believe that each of you will serve our heavenly homeland with love and passion. The Republic of Türkiye is your homeland. This country, where a brave man lies in every inch, is your own homeland. All of you, each of you, are the true children of this nation. Neither you nor the 86 million citizens of this country can be treated as stepchildren or pariahs by anyone who considers themselves superior to the nation. No one can point a finger at you in your own country because of your clothing, beliefs, or political views.

Please do not allow those who thrive on conflict and tension in the old Türkiye to sow discord among you. I want each of you to protect your country, your nation, and the ancient and deep-rooted values ​​of our beloved nation. I ask you to protect and protect our country’s 23-year achievements as a result of very tough struggles. As the President of Türkiye, I trust you.

THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the heads of state and government who celebrated this meaningful day by calling, broadcasting messages and sending flowers, especially MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, political party leaders, our deputies, friends, friends and especially my citizens who did not spare their prayers for us. May God keep us from the path of serving our beautiful country.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS FROM WORLD LEADERS

Yesterday, President Erdoğan held separate telephone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Uzbekistan President Şevket Mirziyoyev, Bosnian Member of the Presidential Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Becirovic and Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis. Leaders celebrated Erdoğan’s birthday. Erdoğan also thanked the leaders and expressed their determination to further the bilateral relations between Türkiye and the relevant countries. ANKARA

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE IN ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who came to Istanbul after the program in Ankara, was welcomed by the AK Party Istanbul Provincial Youth Branch at the Atatürk Airport State Guesthouse. The provincial youth branch organization celebrated President Erdoğan’s 72nd birthday here. As a birthday present, Erdoğan was presented with a table as a certificate of the iftar dinner for 1000 people held in Gaza by the Turkish Red Crescent on behalf of his mother Tenzile Erdoğan and father Ahmet Erdoğan. Erdoğan chatted for a while with the young people who celebrated his birthday and showed their love by throwing carnations at his car and took a souvenir photo. Meanwhile, some young people kissed President Erdoğan’s hand.

Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Devlet Bahçeli celebrated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 72nd birthday.

In the statement made on MHP’s social media account, the following was noted:

Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli; Our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his 72nd birthday and presented him with a flower consisting of 72 roses and a map of Islamic countries prepared as laser engraving, with the name of Allah (CC) on the top and the Prophet Muhammad on the bottom. While the name of Muhammad (PBUH) is included, the map contains the 1st and 2nd verses of the Surah al-Fath; The corners contain the names of the four caliphs; They sent a painting prepared as a single piece in an artistic wooden frame, with Anatolian Turkish patterns processed as laser engravings, decorated with zircon stones, prepared in metal layers by jewelery craftsmanship and colored using a special enamel painting method.

Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli; Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, congratulated the gentleman’s 72nd birthday and presented him with a flower consisting of 72 roses and a map of Islamic countries prepared as a laser engraving, with Allah on the top… pic.twitter.com/Bv3PvWchvw

— MHP (@MHP_Bilgi) February 26, 2026

The clip, which takes the audience back to President Erdoğan’s high school years, centers on an unforgettable memory experienced by a young student at the poetry contest he participated in. The determination of that young man, who did not leave the stage despite all the provocations and attempts to prevent him, and who stood tall with his faith and courage and took the first place, is conveyed to the audience with a striking visual language.

SYMBOLIC MEETING OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

The most striking and emotional moment of the video occurs at the intersection of past and present. That symbolic scene where young Erdoğan in his high school years and today’s global leader President Erdoğan greet each other; It reveals the continuity of the cause, direction and unshakable will over the years. This meaningful exchange of glances reminds the audience that leadership is not an accident, but a stance that lasts a lifetime.

This second video, following the birthday song and video clip titled “Happy Birthday, Chief”, which was released yesterday by the Directorate of Promotion and Media and received great acclaim, takes President Erdoğan’s birthday content series to an emotional peak. This work, which summarizes the spirit of a half-century-old political struggle, continues to meet the audience on all platforms with the message #EveryAgeIsPermitted.

In love with Istiklal since birth…

Happy new year chief, #EveryAgeIsAllowpic.twitter.com/3RsZmpKJBz

— AK Party (@Akparti) February 26, 2026

RUSSIA USED HARDER EXPRESSIONS

The Russian Embassy in Ankara responded to the French side’s statement with harsher expressions. In the post, it was argued that France’s diplomatic tradition had turned into “poor posts” on social media. The Russian side also claimed that the French government has been one of the most important supporters of the administration in Kiev since 2014 and described the Ukrainian administration as a “Nazi regime”. “Perhaps the French government is still haunted by the ghosts of 1812?” the message read. It ended with the statement:

The embassy used the following statements in its post: “It is truly sad that all that remains of France’s famous diplomacy is making pathetic and pathetic posts on social media. It is necessary to remind our colleagues that Paris was one of the most important supporters of the Nazi regime in Kiev, which has been massacring the civilian population of its country, including children and women, since 2014. But perhaps it is the ghosts of 1812 that still haunt the French government?”