ANKARA — The Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday, July 30, to financially penalize the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party, rejecting a call to ban it on claims of threatening the secular order.

“It is not a decision to close down the party, but it is a serious warning,” Court President Hasim Kilic told a televised press conference.

Six of the court’s 11 judges voted to close the AK — one fewer than the number required.

But the court did decide to cut by half the state aid to the party, which, like other parties in parliament, receives funds from the treasury.

“The verdict on cutting treasury aid has been given because of members who decided that the party was the hub of anti-secular activities but not seriously enough (to close the party),” said Kilic.

“I hope the party in question will evaluate this outcome very well and get the message it should get.”

Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya has asked Turkey’s highest court to outlaw the governing party and bar incumbent President Abdullah Gul, Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and 69 other AKP officials from party politics for five years on claims of undermining the secular order.

The verdict ended months of political uncertainty which has hit Turkey’s financial markets on fears that the democratically elected party would be closed down, halting economic and political reforms needed for Turkey to join the European Union.

More than 20 political parties have been banned over the years, including one as recently as 2001, but none has been as popular as the AK.

The AK won a resounding re-election last year with 47 percent of the vote, cashing on strong economic growth.

Triumph

Erdogan said the ruling removed the uncertainty Turkey was facing.

“What a pity that since the case was opened in March, Turkey has faced a serious loss of time and energy,” he told reporters at his party’s headquarters.

The case had triggered months of political uncertainty in Turkey, hitting financial markets and threatening to put the brakes on the country’s reform process.

“The AK Party, which has never been a focus for anti-secular activities, will continue to stand up for the fundamental values of the Republic,” he said.

“From now on, everybody — and especially, we, the politicians — have the responsibility not to drag Turkey into such a situation again,” he said. “The AKP will continue to act with responsibility.”

Erdogan pledged efforts to strengthen “social peace” and “national unity” in the polarized country.

Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, hailed the verdict.

“It is positive. Turkey is living a tense situation and we very much hope that the decision by the court will contribute to restore political stability.”

Source: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1216208202392&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout