Turkey’s Constitutional Court Decision on the Justice and Development Party (AKP)

Potentially averting further political crisis, Turkey’s Constitutional Court recently struck down an attempt to outlaw the Justice and Development Party (AKP). This court case had been described by international media as a battle between the secular and devout sides of Turkey’s national “soul.” What does the decision imply for the future in terms of Turkey’s political stability, economic prospects and emergent regional diplomatic clout? What roles have the U.S. and Europe played in the outcome?

On August 6, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted three of Turkey’s most astute political observers for a discussion of the court ruling and its implications. These experts on Turkish politics and society shared timely impressions of the initial impact in Turkey of the court’s historic ruling, a sense of where the country may be going in the period ahead, and thoughts on what the ruling may mean for Turkey’s relations with the United States and Europe. Brookings Visiting Fellow and former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Mark Parris provided introductory remarks and moderated the discussion.