Dangerous legal proceedings in Turkey

A trial will open today in the Constitutional Court of Turkey on whether to ban the ruling AKP party. The Times has critical words for the proceedings. "It is a case that could end Turkish hopes of joining the European Union for ever and transform one of the West's most vibrant strategic allies into a feuding and embittered society, torn between military repression and Islamic fervour. ... The uncertainty is already damaging markets and inhibiting foreign investment. ... If the Government is dissolved forcibly by a court decision, the EU would almost certainly break off accession talks. This would please the military Establishment. ... This is just one issue where the secular Establishment has forfeited the former warm support of the West, while the AK Party has impressed outsiders by a swath of reforms and progress on human rights."

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » Domestic Policy, » Crime and Law, » Europe, » Turkey

» To the complete press review of Monday, June 30, 2008