Justice and Development Party Wins Elections in Turkey - 2002-11-04

A newly established party with Islamic roots in Turkey announced its victory in the parliamentary elections. With two-thirds of the votes counted, it was announced today that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) secured 35% of the votes, placing it in first position. It appears that the AKP will be able to form the next government on its own. The Republican People's Party (CHP) came in second with 19% of the votes, and none of the 16 other political parties reached the necessary threshold of 10% of the total votes to enter parliament. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit admitted on Sunday to his party's defeat, stating that his coalition government committed political suicide by agreeing to hold elections 18 months ahead of schedule. The Democratic Left Party, led by the ailing Prime Minister, only garnered 9% of the votes and did not enter parliament. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leader of the AKP, told reporters in Istanbul that his party is ready to govern the country. The former mayor of Istanbul, who is quite popular among the people, stated that his party is strongly pursuing Turkey's membership in the European Union and is working to integrate the country's economy into the global economy. Mr. Erdogan has previously been convicted of inciting public opinion and cannot become Prime Minister, raising doubts about the future Prime Minister of Turkey. Although the party has Islamic roots, it claims to be a modern conservative organization that will focus on social welfare and improving Turkey's troubled economy. The ruling establishment in Turkey, including its powerful military, which advocates for the separation of religion from the state, accuses the AKP of having a secret Islamic agenda that poses a threat to Turkey.