Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Turkish Elections Boost PM

Islamist-rooted, pro-EU ruling party sees mandate in results

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2007 6:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Turkey’s ruling party dominated parliamentary elections today despite its perceived threat to the nation’s entrenched secularism. The elections were moved up after the secular opposition foiled PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attempt to install an ex-Islamist ally as president. The results, seen as a mandate for the AKP, also raise the risk of increased conflict, Reuters reports.

Erdogan’s agenda includes continued economic reform and Turkey’s inclusion in the EU. Turkey’s currency moved 2% higher against the dollar on the results, but opponents criticize the party’s Islamic ties and EU-backed policies. The new government will have to appease the secular-minded army and decide whether forces should suppress Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan greet their supporters outside of the party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, late Sunday, July 22, 2007. Turkey's Islamic-rooted ruling... (Associated Press)

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the Justice and Development Party, greets his supporters after he cast his vote in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, July 22, 2007. Turks voted for a new... (Associated Press)

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the leader of Justice and Development Party, greets his supporters outside of the party headquarters in Ankara, Turkey, late Sunday, July 22, 2007. Turkey's... (Associated Press)

A poster of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party flag are displayed at an election campaign center in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 20, 2007. The general... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Foes Gear to Fight New Bid By Ex-Islamist to Lead Turkey

Critics fear extreme religious shift for nation

(NEWSER) - Turkish secularists are bracing for another clash over the presidential candidacy of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a devout Muslim and one-time Islamist party member who critics fear plans to enforce extreme religious principals in public life. The last time he was nominated as the ruling party's candidate, just three months ago, the army threatened a coup, and thousands took to the streets. More»

Islamists Lose Ground in Turkish Election

Government suffers setback as voters turn to secular parties

(NEWSER) - Turkey's Islamist-leaning AK Party won local elections yesterday, but fell short of the overwhelming victory leaders had hoped for, reports the Los Angeles Times. With most of the votes counted, the party of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan won 39% of the vote, but lost ground to secularists in Istanbul and other big cities. "This is a message from the people, and we will take the necessary lessons," said a disappointed prime minister. More»

Turkey Dodges Political Crisis

Top court votes not to disband Islamic ruling party

(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. More»

Turkey's PM Could Fall Over Headscarves

Attack by 'extreme' secular judges will hopefully fall short

(NEWSER) - Turkey's secular judges want to oust the ruling party for its moderate, and popular, stance on religion freedoms, Mustafa Akyol writes in the American. On paper, the judiciary seeks to punish the incumbent AKP party for crimes such as nepotism and corruption. In reality, Akyol writes, the AKP's support for headscarves in Turkish universities is what sparked judicial rage. More»

Court Could Outlaw Turkey's 'Islamist Government'

Explosive trial could bar ruling party, prez and prime minister

(NEWSER) - Turkey's top court has agreed to hear a case that could outlaw the nation's ruling party and bar its president and prime minister from politics, Reuters reports. The AK Party is accused of trying to undermine Turkey's secular constitution and establish an Iran-style Islamic state. The case pits Turkey's popularly elected government against the country's secular elite, including army generals. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Turkish Elections Boost PM

Islamist-rooted, pro-EU ruling party sees mandate in results

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Islam • Turkey • European Union • Kurdistan • Turkish elections • Kurds • secularism • Recep Tayyip Erdogan • AK Party • AKP

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Foes Gear to Fight New Bid By Ex-Islamist to Lead Turkey

Critics fear extreme religious shift for nation

Islamists Lose Ground in Turkish Election

Government suffers setback as voters turn to secular parties

Turkey Dodges Political Crisis

Top court votes not to disband Islamic ruling party

Turkey's PM Could Fall Over Headscarves

Attack by 'extreme' secular judges will hopefully fall short

Court Could Outlaw Turkey's 'Islamist Government'

Explosive trial could bar ruling party, prez and prime minister

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Turkish Elections Boost PM

Islamist-rooted, pro-EU ruling party sees mandate in results

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Islam • Turkey • European Union • Kurdistan • Turkish elections • Kurds • secularism • Recep Tayyip Erdogan • AK Party • AKP

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Foes Gear to Fight New Bid By Ex-Islamist to Lead Turkey

Critics fear extreme religious shift for nation

Islamists Lose Ground in Turkish Election

Government suffers setback as voters turn to secular parties

Turkey Dodges Political Crisis

Top court votes not to disband Islamic ruling party

Turkey's PM Could Fall Over Headscarves

Attack by 'extreme' secular judges will hopefully fall short

Court Could Outlaw Turkey's 'Islamist Government'

Explosive trial could bar ruling party, prez and prime minister

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?