A close call for Turkey's ruling party

08/08/2008

A decision by Turkey's highest court not to ban the Justice and Development Party has come as relief for many. But has the party learned a lesson from the ordeal?

By Ayhan Simsek for Southeast European Times in Ankara -- 08/08/08

Ankara residents wave Turkish flags after the ruling in the AKP case. [Getty Images]

Turkey's highest court last week narrowly rejected the chief prosecutor's request to ban the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for its allegedly anti-secular activities. The ruling was welcomed not only by AKP supporters, but also more generally by Turks concerned about democracy, as well as by the international community.

At the same time, many bloggers believe the AKP has a lesson to learn from the case. They say it should move forward with a reform agenda that has a broad consensus, rather than taking controversial steps that primarily please its core Islamist constituency.

"This is a historic decision for democracy and stability," writes ercanulgur. "For a long time, all of us in Turkey have suffered from the political uncertainty created by this case. The court's decision is a victory for the rule of law, democracy, and our economy".

Medyatiki believes the prosecutor's indictment against the AKP was "a shame for democracy", and the court's decision has put an end to this shame. But those who caused Turkey to lose significant time and energy over the case should pay the price, he believes.

"There is a need for a serious reform in law and judiciary. We need a new civilian constitution," Medyatiki writes.

Hacovali, a 28-year-old blogger, expresses confusion about the ruling. "Some argue that this ruling is a victory for democracy, while others argue that this is just another step that will deepen the crisis," he writes. What, Hacovali asks, does the ruling really mean?

He is not alone. Many have wondered at the seeming inconsistency in the court's behaviour. Ten out of 11 judges agreed that the AKP has become a focal point for anti-secular activities. But only six favoured banning it. Four thought the extent of its violations merited a warning, not closure. Under Turkish law, a ban would have required the agreement of seven judges.

The court's ruling cannot be interpreted as a victory for AKP, insists sonsuzluk. Rather, he writes, it is a strong warning to the ruling party. "The AKP must make a serious evaluation of the policies it will proceed with," he writes.

Indeed, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already signalled a shift, promising to seek "national unity" and revive the EU reform process.

Karadayi finally criticises the AKP for creating huge media and public pressure prior to the court's ruling. Still, he welcomes Erdogan's moderate remarks. "I hope that AKP will now start to genuinely support democracy, the rule of law, and more important than all, the secularism principle," he writes.