turkish ak party supports headscarf
Riz Khan

Turkey’s elections

Riz Khan talks to a former US ambassador to the country about what is at stake.

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
the Turkish prime minister [AFP]

In what is being billed as a showdown between Turkey’s secular elite and the ruling Justice and Development party (AK), Turks are expected to head to the polls in record numbers this weekend.

Public opinion polls show the AK party heading for success with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, predicting his AK party will secure more than 40 per cent of the vote giving them an outright majority.

But while this election may prove to be a watershed event for Turkey, what will it mean for the country’s relations with the West and its neighbours? 

On Thursday’s Riz Khan we will look at what is at stake with Mark Parris, a former US ambassador to Turkey, and Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute. 

Also joining the program will be AK parliamentary candidate Suat Kinklioglu.  

Watch this episode of Riz Khan here:

Watch this episode of Riz Khan Street Talk here:

This episode of Riz Khan aired on Thursday 19 July 2007.

Don’t miss Riz Khan live at 19:00GMT, when you can call with your questions and comments. Riz Khan is also shown every day at 00:00GMT, 05:00GMT, and 09:30GMT.





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