Mehmet Recai Kutan (April 5, 1930, Malatya – October 7, 2024, Ankara) was a Turkish politician and one of the leading figures of the Milli Görüş Hareketi. He played a significant role in Turkish politics as one of the closest associates of the 23rd Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Necmettin Erbakan.

Childhood and Education

Mehmet Recai Kutan was born on April 5, 1930, in Malatya, as the son of İsmail and Hatice Kutan. He spent his childhood and youth in Malatya, completing his primary, secondary, and high school education there. He later enrolled in Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Faculty of Civil Engineering. In 1952, he graduated as a civil engineer.

Engineering and Bureaucratic Career

After graduating, he joined the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) in 1952 and began his engineering career. For 17 years, he worked on significant dam, irrigation, and water infrastructure projects in Turkey. The technical knowledge and experience he gained during this time shaped his future contributions to development and energy policies.

In 1969, he left public service and founded the Turkish Engineering Consultancy Corporation. Through this firm, he worked on engineering, consulting, and infrastructure projects in the private sector.

Political Entry and the MSP Era

In 1969, he supported the Milli Nizam Partisi (MNP), founded by Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of the Milli Görüş Hareketi. After the closure of the MNP, he officially entered politics in 1972 with the foundation of the Milli Selamet Partisi (MSP).

Between 1974 and 1980, he served as Deputy Chairman of the MSP. The MSP participated in the coalition government formed in 1974 and assumed significant ministries. Kutan played an active role in the party’s senior decision-making mechanisms during this period.

First Parliamentary Seat and Ministerial Role

In the 1977 general elections, Kutan was elected as an MSP deputy for Malatya. He served as Minister of Public Works and Settlement in the Second Milliyetçi Cephe coalition government formed the same year. During his tenure, he prioritized urbanization, housing, and infrastructure projects.

However, the military coup on September 12, 1980, disrupted political life in Turkey. MSP leaders, including Kutan, were arrested. He was detained for 9.5 months following the coup.

Welfare Party Era and Ministerial Position in the 54th Government

After the political bans imposed by the coup were lifted, the Milli Görüş Hareketi re-organized under the Refah Partisi (RP) in 1983. Kutan was among its founding members and served as the party’s Deputy Chairman. He returned to parliament in the 1991 elections as a Malatya deputy.

In the 1995 elections, the RP emerged as the leading party, and in 1996, the 54th Government was formed under Erbakan’s leadership. Kutan was appointed as the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. He aimed to reform the energy sector and focused on utilizing domestic resources. However, the February 28, 1997 "Post-Modern Darbe" led to the fall of the coalition government.

Leadership of the Virtue Party and Political Bans

Following the closure of the Refah Partisi in 1998, the Milli Görüş Hareketi restructured as the Fazilet Partisi (FP), and Kutan was elected as its Chairman. He once again entered parliament in 1999 as a deputy for Malatya.

During this period, he supported the controversial "Rahşan Af Yasası," which was passed on December 21, 2000. Nevertheless, the Virtue Party was also shut down by the Constitutional Court in 2001.

Founding and Leadership of the Saadet Partisi

After the closure of the Fazilet Partisi, Kutan co-founded the Saadet Partisi (SP) in 2001 and became its first Chairman.

At the 1st Ordinary Congress in 2003, he handed over the leadership to Necmettin Erbakan. However, after Erbakan was forced to withdraw from politics due to a finalized prison sentence, Kutan resumed the position as acting chairman on January 30, 2004.

He was re-elected chairman at the 2nd Ordinary Congress held on April 8, 2006. Following the 2007 general elections, he handed over the leadership to Numan Kurtulmuş at the 3rd Ordinary Congress on October 26, 2008.

Later Years and Academic Involvement

After retiring from active politics, Kutan served as the President of the Center for Economic and Social Research (ESAM). He also participated in the party’s strategic decision-making processes as a member of the Felicity Party’s High Advisory Board.

Personal Life, Family, and Death

In 1954, he married Mebrure Hanım. The couple had three children: İsmail, Abdülaziz Murat, and Ahmet. His wife, Mebrure Kutan, passed away from cancer on November 12, 2009, at the age of 74.

In his later years, Kutan faced several health problems. He was hospitalized at Güven Hospital in Ankara for three weeks due to an infection. Despite all medical efforts, he passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 94.

On October 8, 2024, following the funeral prayer held at Ahmet Efendi Mosque in Karşıyaka, Ankara, he was buried in the family grave at Karşıyaka Cemetery.

Contributions to Turkish Politics and the National Vision Movement

Mehmet Recai Kutan was a founding and prominent figure in the National Vision movement. His expertise in civil engineering contributed to the country's development policies in the fields of construction, housing, and energy. Through various political roles, he played a significant part in Turkey's modernization efforts.