Author: Suna Erdem in Istanbul
Publication: The Times
Date: April 16, 2007
URL: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1657904.ece
Hundreds of thousands of Turks took part in
two days of protests hoping to persuade the Prime Minister against running
for president, amid concerns that his election would put at risk the separation
of religion and state in the predominantly Muslim country.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to decide
this week whether to stand for president next month. Since his Justice and
Development Party (AKP), which has roots in political Islam, has a substantial
parliamentary majority, its candidate is assured of succeeding Ahmet Necdet
Sezer, the President, who is a staunch secularist.
Mr Erdogan, who has presided over strong economic
growth and has worked hard to secure Turkey's European Union candidacy, presents
himself as a conservative democrat. But opponents remain suspicious of his
Islamist past. Mr Erdogan has served a prison term for sedition and his wife
covers her head in the Islamic manner. During his leadership his party has
attempted to criminal-ise adultery, banish alcohol from some establishments
and relax restrictions on religious education and headscarves.
His opponents, who include top bureaucrats,
academics, judges and generals, believe that he has a hidden Islamist agenda
to undermine the strict separation of religion and state, which he could put
into practice if AKP held all the top government and state posts.
