AKP secures mandate in Turkish general election
{{date|July 23, 2007}}
{{Turkey}}
The [[w:Justice and Development Party (Turkey)|Justice and Development Party]] (AKP) in [[Turkey]] secured a solid mandate in [[w:Turkish general election, 2007|Turkish general election]], held yesterday. Although Prime Minister [[w:Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] could celebrate getting 46.5% of the vote, more than 12% better than the last poll in 2002, his party will have to settle for slightly fewer seats in Turkey's parliament, the [[w:Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Grand National Assembly of Turkey]]. AKP will now have 340 seats versus 353 formerly.
{{QuoteRight|The only danger at the moment is failure to reach an accord over the presidency|4= Erdal Saglam, Hürriyet}}
Before a cheering crowd, Erdoğan said yesterday: "We've passed an important test of democracy that is an example to the world. The people have pronounced the Justice and Development Party as the central political power in Turkey."
[[Image:Abdullah Gül (Brasília, 19.1.2005).jpeg|thumb|left|80px|Abdullah Gül in 2005 {{Image source|Jose Cruz/ABr}}]]
AKP called this election, ahead of schedule, after opposition parties boycotted the vote on AKP's presidential candidate, [[w:Abdullah Gül|Abdullah Gül]], and the [[w:Constitutional Court of Turkey|Constitutional Court]] annulled the result. Speaking about the issue of the presidency, Erdoğan told a news conference: "We will resolve this matter without causing tensions."

[[United Kingdom]] Foreign Secretary [[David Miliband]], said: "It's very important that across Europe we reach out to the new government in Turkey when it is formed. A stable and secure Turkey is massively in our interests."

In [[w:Washington|Washington]], spokesperson [[w:Tony Snow|Tony Snow]] said: "It was a free and fair election, and Turkey remains an important ally of the U.S."

[[w:Enlargement of the European Union|EU Enlargement Commissioner]] [[w:Olli Rehn|Olli Rehn]] said the government must move forward on reforms as EU entry talks have stalled. "We expect the new government will be formed swiftly. It is essential that the new government will re-launch the legal and economic reforms with full determination and concrete results," he told reporters.

The [[w:Nationalist Movement Party|Nationalist Movement Party]] (MHP), saw the greatest growth in support. Although in 2002, they pulled nearly 6% in support it was not enough for any seats. The 14.3% achieved in this election, got the MHP 71 seats. The general secretary of the party said it won't seek to create tensions.

The [[w:Republican People's Party (Turkey)|Republican People's Party]] (CHP) was dealt the biggest setback in the election. CHP saw an erosion in support that cost them 66 seats, leaving them with 112. 

"The only danger at the moment is failure to reach an accord over the presidency," said election observer and columnist for [[w:Hürriyet|Hürriyet]], Erdal Saglam.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=AKP calls for early general election in Turkey|date=May 2, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Turkey's Constitutional Court invalidates first round in presidential elections|date=May 1, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Protests in Turkey over Presidential candidate|date=April 30, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Turkey's governing party names Abdullah Gül as presidential candidate|date=April 24, 2007}}
*{{wikinews|title=Pro-secular Turks rally against Erdogan's possible presidential candidacy|date=April 15, 2007}}

==Sources==
{{wikipediapar|Turkish general election, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=a2w9Z5rh5OAE&refer=europe
|title=Erdogan Wins in Turkey, Says Democracy `Test' Passed
|author=Mark Bentley
|pub=Bloomberg L.P.
|date=July 23, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6912052.stm
|title=Turkey awaits AKP's next step
|author=Sarah Rainsford
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=July 23, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6911223.stm
|title=Turkish PM vows to pursue reform
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=July 23, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/07/23/afx3940498.html
|title=EU's Rehn urges Turkey to redouble reform efforts to achieve EU membership
|author=Thomson Financial
|pub=Forbes
|date=July 23, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2128097020070723?&src=072307_1107_DOUBLEFEATURE_spousal_support
|title=Turkey's Erdogan faces rocky road after big win
|author=Paul de Bendern
|pub=Reuters
|date=July 23, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Turkey]]
[[Category:Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]
[[Category:David Miliband]]
[[Category:Turkish Grand National Assembly]]
[[Category:Abdullah Gül]]
[[it:Turchia, l'AKP di Erdoğan vince le elezioni politiche]]
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey secured a solid mandate in Turkish general election, held yesterday. Although Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could celebrate getting 46.5% of the vote, more than 12% better than the last poll in 2002, his party will have to settle for slightly fewer seats in Turkey's parliament, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. AKP will now have 340 seats versus 353 formerly.

Before a cheering crowd, Erdoğan said yesterday: "We've passed an important test of democracy that is an example to the world. The people have pronounced the Justice and Development Party as the central political power in Turkey."
Abdullah Gül in 2005 
AKP called this election, ahead of schedule, after opposition parties boycotted the vote on AKP's presidential candidate, Abdullah Gül, and the Constitutional Court annulled the result. Speaking about the issue of the presidency, Erdoğan told a news conference: "We will resolve this matter without causing tensions."

United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband, said: "It's very important that across Europe we reach out to the new government in Turkey when it is formed. A stable and secure Turkey is massively in our interests."

In Washington, spokesperson Tony Snow said: "It was a free and fair election, and Turkey remains an important ally of the U.S."

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said the government must move forward on reforms as EU entry talks have stalled. "We expect the new government will be formed swiftly. It is essential that the new government will re-launch the legal and economic reforms with full determination and concrete results," he told reporters.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), saw the greatest growth in support. Although in 2002, they pulled nearly 6% in support it was not enough for any seats. The 14.3% achieved in this election, got the MHP 71 seats. The general secretary of the party said it won't seek to create tensions.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) was dealt the biggest setback in the election. CHP saw an erosion in support that cost them 66 seats, leaving them with 112. 

"The only danger at the moment is failure to reach an accord over the presidency," said election observer and columnist for Hürriyet, Erdal Saglam.
Politics and conflicts Elections Asia Europe Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan David Miliband Turkish Grand National Assembly Abdullah Gül