"Turkish Tremors
A worrying reminder to Europeans that what happens to Turkey matters
Turkey is in turmoil as the country prepares to vote this Sunday in abruptly called general elections. Turmoil is not, yet, crisis. No tanks have rolled onto the streets despite the military’s declaration last April that it is “a party to the debate” on changing Turkey’s constitution. Nor have there been mass rallies demanding rule by Islamic law; Kemal Atatürk’s secular vision of Turkey’s postOttoman destiny has put down deep roots. The overwhelming majority of Turks, including devout Muslims, hold that religion belongs in the private sphere, and the governing AKP (Justice and Freedom Party) led by Recep Tayip Erdogan insists that, despite its Islamist leanings, it shares that view."
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