Fri, Feb 10 2012

Turkey's AKP set for victory in local elections

Sun, Mar 29 2009 13:26 CET

byClive Leviev-Sawyer

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Turkey's AKP set for victory in local elections

Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Local elections in Turkey on March 29 2009 are expected to produce victories for the ruling Justice and Development Party (known as the AKP) in the capital Ankara and the county’s largest city, Istanbul.

Several commentators have portrayed the elections as a referendum on the AKP, which in 2008 defeated a challenge in court that alleged that it violated Turkey’s rules on keeping politics secular.  AKP is perceived as having a strongly Islamic identity.

Party leaders - especially prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan - have been touring the country for several weeks, staging mass political rallies, the BBC said.

A strong win should allow the government to re-focus attention on democratic reforms needed if the country’s hopes of eventual EU accession are to get anywhere.

After the elections, Turkey is also expected to conclude talks with the International Monetary Fund on a multi-billion dollar loan to help Turkey weather the economic crisis.

First estimated results are expected from 1800 GMT.

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