Friday, March 27, 2009

Ruling Party in Turkey Faces a Test

"Ruling Party in Turkey Faces a Test

By NICHOLAS BIRCH

ISTANBUL -- Turkey's ruling party is leading most polls ahead of municipal elections this weekend, setting up the Islamist-rooted AK Party to solidify its dominance of national politics.

Most polls suggest the AK Party will win slightly more than the 47% of votes it garnered in parliamentary elections in 2007, maintaining a 26-point lead over its nearest rival, the secularist Republican People's Party, or CHP. But strong economic headwinds could mean some surprises."

More:Ruling Party in Turkey Faces a Test - WSJ.com