Turkey's ruling party set to win elections amid tension over role of Islam
ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkey's ruling party is likely to win a majority of seats in parliamentary elections Sunday that will highlight the deepening divide between the Islamic-oriented government and opponents who fear religion is encroaching on secular traditions.
While most voter surveys put the ruling Justice and Development Party well ahead of its rivals, it is expected to win fewer seats than in the 2002 elections and as a result could have less leverage when the new Parliament faces its first critical test: electing a president.
The vote by legislators for a new president could amount to a replay of a showdown in late April and early May when the ruling party's candidate, a pious Muslim, was forced to abandon his bid after fierce opposition from the secular establishment. The military, perpetrator of coups in the past, threatened to intervene to safeguard secularism.
"The main issue is the presidential election," analyst Taha Ozhan said of the campaign debate ahead of the parliamentary elections, which were called four months early to resolve the crisis. This time, the government has said it will seek a presidential candidate based on consensus, though a sense of uncertainty pervades Turkish politics.
On the streets, the mood is festive. Party flags and posters in Istanbul and other cities are plentiful, loudspeakers bark political slogans from roving vans and throngs of supporters with red-and-white Turkish flags cheer at campaign rallies.
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Monday, July 16, 2007
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