Principles come at a price

The strength of Islamists in the ruling AKP lay behind the Turkish legislature’s refusal to bend to US military strategy. The consequences may be dire for the Turkish economy and terminal for the AKP government.

TAYYIP ERDOGAN MAY go down in Turkish history as the first prime minister whose use-by date had passed before he even took office.

For three months after Erdogan’s Justice & Development Party won a landslide victory in November last year he was in power but not in office. Erdogan had not been able to stand because a jail term he served for inciting religious hatred disqualified him from becoming a candidate.

He ruled via Abdullah Gul, a perpetually smiling, soft-spoken politician, who became prime minister instead.

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