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Turkey Dodges Political Crisis

Top court votes not to disband Islamic ruling party

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – A major constitutional showdown in Turkey was narrowly averted yesterday when the nation's top court voted not to ban the ruling Islamic AKP party, which attorneys had argued is illegally attempting to dismantle Turkey's secular democracy. A judge described the razor-thin 6-5 vote as "a serious warning" to the party, reports Time.

The court also cut public funding for the party in half, and left Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the daunting task of healing the wounds of a bitterly divided nation. "The court decided to take the middle road," said a political scientist. "The verdict neither humiliates that half of the population which voted for this government, nor does it disappoint those sections of society who have concerns about the AKP."

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after the country's top court, narrowly decided not to ban his ruling Justice and Development Party.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after the country's top court, narrowly decided not to ban his ruling Justice and Development Party.   (AP Photo)
Hasim Kilic, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, announces the court's decisionin Ankara, Wednesday.
Hasim Kilic, Chairman of the Constitutional Court, announces the court's decisionin Ankara, Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, accompanied by his wife, visits Gungoren neighborhood where 17 people killed in bomb blasts in a crowded Istanbul square.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, accompanied by his wife, visits Gungoren neighborhood where 17 people killed in bomb blasts in a crowded Istanbul square.   (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
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