Turkey’s Ruling Party Survives Attempt to Ban It

Turkey’s constitutional court came within one vote earlier this week of banning the ruling AK Party. Six judges voted to shut it down, but the constitution required seven votes. Another four voted for economic sanctions. Only the chairman of the court wanted to dismiss the case. This decision allows Turkey’s EU membership application to move ahead, but it casts doubt on the future of secularism in Turkey.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told Reuters after hearing of the decision, “This is a good day for Turkey and for Europe.” EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Turkey was “leaving a tense situation and we very much hope that the decision by the court will contribute to restore political stability.” The French junior minister in charge of European affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, expressed relief and added that his nation, which holds the EU presidency at the moment, wants to “continue the negotiations [on Turkish membership] with a view to opening two or even three chapters by the end of the year.”

In Turkey, the Chairman of the Court, Hasim Kilic, said, “I hope this ruling will be studied very well and the related party will get the message intended. Today, the court did not reach the required number of votes for a party closure.” He added, “This decision is a warning to the party. A serious warning.” In effect, the court found the party guilty but imposed a fine rather than the death sentence.

Prime Minister Erdogan seems to have understood the message. He vowed that the AKP would guide Turkey along its path to modernization and prosperity. “This road will carry us to full membership of the EU. There is no way back.”

Some are doubtful, though. Star newspaper editor-in-chief Mehmet Altan, said “This compromise is completely political. This result actually says the AKP is not a secular party.” Newspaper columnist Cuneyt Ulsever, who says the AK Party is not democratic, “Now, for the next few months the AKP will look very democratic and pro-EU. Then they will sit down and say, right, to avoid another accident we need to change the make-up of the constitutional court and put our own men everywhere in the bureaucracy. Then, they will run the country in their own way.” Mr. Ulsever is probably right. It’s easier to pack a court than change one’s politics.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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