Turkey election 2007

The AKP: new look Islamists against secular nationalists

Article published on the 2008-06-01 Latest update 2008-06-07 11:47 TU

Atatürk's mausoleum, Ankara, July 2007
(Photo: Tony Cross)

The Justice and Development has won friends in Europe and the US with its encouragement of business and its eagerness to join the EU. But nationalist parties, which were formerly bitter enemies, have united to fight what they believe is a hidden agenda to turn Turkey into an Islamic state. Along with the army, they believe they are the only defenders of the constitution introduced by Mustapha Kelam Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Tony Cross reports on the 2007 election campaign and its bitter polemics.