Serious Policy Implications Of An AKP Disbandment

With the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) reversing its public position regarding the outcome of its indictment for alleged anti-secular activities, it is looking increasingly likely that the party will lose its court case and be disbanded by the Turkish constitutional court. While this would be a highly negative development for policy formation in the short term, the party's acceptance of disbandment this early in the case diminishes the likelihood of a prolonged constitutional crisis. This would set the stage for a reformulation of the government and party under a different name, and a resumption of the current reform policy agenda by late 2008 or the beginning of 2009.

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