Turkish court warns ruling party but keeps it open
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Turkey's highest court has rejected an attempt to shut down the governing AK Party, but imposed financial penalties on it for anti-secular activities, the court's chief judge said.
The verdict ended months of political uncertainty which has hit Turkey's financial markets over fears the democratically elected party would be closed, halting economic and political reforms needed for Turkey to join the European Union.
Constitutional Court chairman and Chief Justice Hasim Kilic said six of the 11 judges voted to close AK, four voted to impose fines, and only one voted against. At least seven judges had to vote in favour of closure to carry the case.
The court gave a serious warning to the Islamist-rooted AK Party after finding it guilty of anti-secular activities - but not serious enough actions to merit it being shut down.
"We think that this political party should take the necessary message from this verdict," Justice Killic said.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, a former Islamist who has boosted Turkey's image abroad and brought about economic and political reforms at home, has yet to comment on the ruling.
Mr Erdogan's Government has long been at odds with the powerful secularist establishment, including the judiciary and the military, over the role of religion in the officially secular but predominantly Muslim country.
Critics said the court case was a "judicial coup" against an elected party.
A closure could have hurt Turkey's European Union membership chances. In Brussels officials expressed relief at the verdict.
"I encourage Turkey now to resume with full energy its reforms to modernise the country," European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said in a statement.
Mr Rehn urged political parties to work together towards reforms based on a broad-based dialogue.
"Alignment of Turkey's rules on political parties with European standards is essential," he said.
Labour Minister Faruk Celik said that Turkish democracy had won, according to CNN Turk broadcaster.
Financial markets had traded higher on expectations the party would not be banned.
The lira was up 2 per cent earlier in the day and stocks gained 6 per cent.
Turkey's benchmark global bond, due in 2030, rose sharply after the ruling.
The focus will now be on whether Mr Erdogan, known for his combative style, will take a conciliatory tone towards secular Turks who fear the Prime Minister and and his party are seeking to steer Turkey towards a more religious-oriented society.
The prosecutor had charged the AK Party with engaging in anti-secular activities and wanted the party to be banned and leading figures, including Mr Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul, barred from politics for five years.
Moves to lift a ban on students wearing the Muslim headscarf at universities, municipalities seeking to ease restrictions on alcohol, and packing state bureaucracy with pious Muslims were proof of the party's Islamist agenda, the prosecutor said.
"I hope the AKP starts acting in line with the principles of secularism after this verdict," said Mustafa Ozyurek, the deputy of the main CHP opposition party.
- Reuters
