Devlet Bahceli vs Tommy Douglas

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.

Douglas was elected Premier of Saskatchewan as the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). His government was the first socialist government in North America and implemented a series of progressive reforms.

Douglas's government introduced the first universal hospital insurance program in Canada, providing publicly funded hospital care to all residents. This program served as a model for the later national medicare system.

Douglas was elected as the first leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), which was formed from the merger of the CCF and the Canadian Labour Congress. He led the party in three federal elections (1962, 1963, 1965).

Douglas resigned as Premier of Saskatchewan to lead the federal NDP. His resignation marked the end of his provincial career, but his legacy in Saskatchewan included the establishment of universal healthcare and other social programs.

Douglas's government introduced the first universal medical insurance program in Canada, covering doctor's visits. The program faced strong opposition from the medical profession, leading to a 23-day doctors' strike, but was ultimately implemented.