Who is AKP ?
Mutlu Civiroglu

Nowadays, everybody is debating about the elections in Turkey and the new victorious party justice and Development Party (AKP). The new prime minister of Turkey, Abdullah Gul is known to be one of the leaders of the nationalist wing within the party. In his youth he took part in a couple of nationalist organizations. In the Virtue Party (FP), he was one of the most important figures of the reformists, those who are open to west. His being prime minister was welcomed by US and European Union as well as in domestic politics. Outside, he is known as moderate, reformist and a pro western politician.

There are 2 popular reactions to AKP’s rise to power:  Where as one side, which has thus far represented AKP as a fundamentalist and anti–secular party is concerned by its threat to state’s so called democratic and secular system, some others are very happy that, a Moslem, religious party which is composed of their brothers came to power in Turkey where "99 %" of population is Moslem.

Those, who concern about the system are the voters who voted for the Republican People’s Party (CHP), European and North American public, as if AKP is a typical fundamentalist party which will change the system or at least make radical changes in the structure of the state. The other point of view is supported by most of Islamic country like Iran and other regional countries, as well as Moslem communities world wide. According to latter AKP is a strong Islamic party and will defend the Islamic values and Moslems in Turkey. 

Unfortunately, none of these ideas are capable enough to identify the reality. Because, first of all, as some circles think or believe AKP is not a real Islamic or a fundamentalist party and it will never be a threat for the democratic and secular system. It has some religious elements as all other parties have had; let’s remember so called social democrat CHP who nominated Yasar Nuri Ozturk a well known Islam Professor in its lists and even today there are news in the papers that Chairman of CHP Baykal fasted while he was traveling to Poland. Let’s remember prominent statesman Ecevit and his Democratic Left Party (DSP), wasn’t it him who had a good relation with one of the biggest Islamic tarikat leader Fethullah Gulen, who is at the same owner of a huge media power and funds many reactionary schools world wide. What about Ciller’s True Path Party (DYP)? Until the historical electoral defeat, she was screaming pro Islamic slogans, with the scarf on her head. Motherland Party (ANAP), is the same as the others, let’s look their first rank candidate in Antalya, isn’t he a chief of a religious order [tarikat] ? 

In a country where secularism, as understood in the west, doesn’t exist, there can’t be “secular parties” either. AKP is not much more pro-Islamic than the others or with other words the other parties are not less pro-Islamic than AKP. Thus, it can never be a threat for the system. Since the beginning, when RP was divided and then closed down and Necmettin Erbakan was banned from political life, until AKP was founded, there has been  a strong control of the military establishment over this party. Since the forming of the reformist wing in Virtue Party (FP) and founding AKP, during election period and until present day this support has continued. Not only the military establishment but also the U.S and European Union has had strong influence over AKP. The US especially seems very interested in AKP and its leader Erdogan. As we know Erdogan went to the US many times and discussed about his party with American officials. This close relationship was strongly criticized by the traditional Islamists Happiness Party (SP), they even called Erdogan “pro American”. There are claims that the closure case against AKP was postponed after elections because of America’s wish. As its clear in minds, the U.S made a statement before the elections that, they are ready to work with AKP. This was a clear support of US to this party, furthermore after the huge election victory of AKP, American Ambassador Pearson visited Erdogan in AKP Headquarters and presented President Bush’s congratulation message while there were debates that AKP’s government won’t be a legitimate government since not the chairman of the party but a second person would become the prime minister. This visit was a significant support to Erdogans’ leadership and his party’s recognition. If we focus on the reasons behind America’s support to this party, we will see that a pro-Islamic AKP will serve their interests very well. Because Turkey is a very important ally of the States and its Moslem identity has helped them very much in Bosnia, Albania and finally in Afghanistan where as from some circles there were accusations of attacking to Islam world. Besides, after the terrorist Usama Bin Laden’s al Qaida and its dangerous activities in world wide forces America to remove or weaken such radical Islamic systems. Instead, soft and moderate understanding of Islam represented by AKP seems to be a very good alternative for them.

In addition to U.S, European Union also declared that AKP government won’t create any negativity to its relations with Turkey. Ambassador of Denmark, who is the ruling the presidency of EU, visited Erdogan and conveyed Union’s support to him. Following this visit, Representative of European Council and Foreign Affairs Chief of the EU visited AKP and talked with Erdogan. Erdogan has also made 3 visits to EU countries, to Italy, Greece and Spain. He was welcomed as a prime minister in those countries and both governments and media paid a big attention to his visit. Since all messages of Erdogan and AKP were accepted very soft and positive.