The ruling party narrowly escaped the ban, with six of the 11 judges on the court voting to dissolve it, one less than the seven votes needed. However, the court cut off millions in state aid to the party in a serious warning to respect secularism.Erdogan assured Turks Thursday that his government was loyal to Ataturk's principles."The Turkish republic—as a democratic, secular state governed by the rule of law—will continue, without stopping, on its path toward modernity that Ataturk guided it on," the prime minister said in his monthly televised address to the nation. "There is no turning back."The Islamic head scarf issue carved out a deep divide in the mainly Muslim but secular country. Opponents of the ban say it is an issue of freedom for women who have been barred from studies or state jobs because of their attire. Others say the scarf is a political symbol that augurs the imposition of Islam at the expense of secular traditions.The top court's decision not to shut down the ruling party averted political and economic chaos for the country that is vying for membership in the European Union and came as a reprieve for Erdogan and his allies.A ban would have severely damaged Turkey's image as a democracy because the governing party won a landslide in elections last year. EU leaders had said the party's fate should be decided by voters, not judges.Sadullah Ergin, deputy leader of the ruling party, said the party's role in promoting EU membership proves it is not anti-secular."We are the party that has contributed the most to Turkey's European Union membership goal," Ergin told CNN-Turk television. "We have worked day and night for it. How can we be the focal point of anti-secular activity?"With the uncertainties posed by the closure case over, stocks and the local currency both strengthened on Thursday.Many expressed relief at the court's ruling and urged Turkey to press ahead with EU-backed reforms that have been delayed partly because of the political strife and partly from Turkish skepticism about the need for changes.The decision "not to close down the ruling Justice and Development Party has averted a political crisis in Turkey," said Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The ruling party should honor its election promises now and revive the long-stalled reform of human rights in Turkey."
As in the days of Noah...