Ecevit first came to prominence in national politics as Minister of Labour in İsmet İnönü's cabinets, and represented the rising left-wing faction of the CHP, lead by İnönü. Ecevit would eventually become leader of the CHP in 1972; his leadership rejuvenated the party by reaching out to working class voters and cementing the party as "left of center". In his first premiership Ecevit was responsible for the invasion of Cyprus.