Turkey: Banning the Ruling Party - European Journal - 09.04.2008

Turkey is in political turmoil after the country's top court agreed to rule on whether the governing AK Party (AKP) should be banned for anti-secular activity, in a case that could threaten national stability and Ankara's bid to join the EU. The Turkish economics association Tüsiad has also warned of increased political polarisation. But many are wondering how much Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan cares about reform. By lifting the headscarf ban in universities, he chose to support the interests of his more conservative supporters.