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Islamists Lose Ground in Turkish Election

Government suffers setback as voters turn to secular parties

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 30, 2009 4:33 AM CDT
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(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.

This is the first poll setback for the popular Erdogan since coming to power in 2002. Observers said that the struggling economy may have contributed to his fall in support, an 8-point decline from the last election. The election was marred by violence as clashes broke out in various sites across Turkey, killing five people and injuring dozens.

Supporters of the main opposition Republican People's Party demonstrate in Istanbul last week.
Supporters of the main opposition Republican People's Party demonstrate in Istanbul last week.   (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
Supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, wave Turkish and party flags in Istanbul last week. The party fell 8 points from its previous result.
Supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, wave Turkish and party flags in Istanbul last week. The party fell 8 points from its previous result.   (AP Photo / Ibrahim Usta)
Full results from Turkey's local elections show Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted AKP has lost political ground.
Full results from Turkey's local elections show Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-rooted AKP has lost political ground.   (AP Photo)
An elderly man waits to cast his vote at a polling station in Istanbul yesterday.
An elderly man waits to cast his vote at a polling station in Istanbul yesterday.   (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul receives his ballot papers at a polling station in a primary school in Ankara yesterday.
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul receives his ballot papers at a polling station in a primary school in Ankara yesterday.   (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
An elderly woman prepares to cast her ballot at a polling station in Istanbul.
An elderly woman prepares to cast her ballot at a polling station in Istanbul.   (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Forderon
Apr 1, 2009 5:54 AM CDT
Hence, "clinging to guns and religion"
wwwonderer
Mar 30, 2009 2:40 AM CDT
Looks like secularism is spreading. Sounds good to me.

Coverage of the election from Turkey
Hurriyet

 
Turkey • secularism • Recep Tayyip Erdogan • AK Party • Islamism • local election

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