"Turkey’s rise matters
Katinka Barysch (World View)
14 June 2011, 7:21 PM
The outcome of the Turkish parliamentary election on June 12th was a foregone conclusion.
Voters rewarded the AKP and its popular leader, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for presiding over almost a decade of economic growth and Turkey’s rise as a regional power.
However, a Turkey ruled by an overly strong and increasingly intolerant AKP is less likely to continue with reform and democratisation at home. It would hardly be an inspiration for the millions of Muslims striving for freedom in the Middle East and North Africa. The uprisings in its neighbourhood will force the next Turkish government to make some tough choices. These are best made in a political system that has strong checks and balances and allows for open debate."
More:Turkey’s rise matters
