May 5, 2008 - 19:38 AMT
EU: Turkey faces lingering political crisis
Turkey is facing a political crisis. The struggle between different political parties involves Turkey into a lingering political crisis, said Olli Rehn, the European Union's Commissioner for Enlargement.

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also warned against negative consequences of banning his AKP. "Our economy will be damaged. We already witness outflow of foreign capital. We are accused on intention to impose the Shariath on secular Turkey. But we are a party of ordinary Turks. Faithful Turks are defenders of secular state. Turkey managed to maintain balance between Islam and democracy, RFE/RL reports.

In March 2008, the Turkish Constitutional Court said it will consider a request to ban the ruling political party of PM Erdogan.

Earlier, the CC banned two parties for using religion for political purposes.