Turkey’s ruling party is splintering
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, recently lost elections for control of Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey’s largest cities. But the defection of several high-profile party leaders could hurt President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even more.
In April, former prime minister and AKP leader Ahmet Davutoglu issued a written statement, posted on his Facebook page, openly breaking with the AKP and signaling that he would form a new party. Then, in early July, Ali Babacan, Turkey’s former economy czar, also quit the AKP — and similarly announced that he would form a rival party. Babacan is influential in the business community and is backed by former president Abdullah Gul.… Seguir leyendo »