AK party win Turkish election

July 22, 2007

Millions of Turks voted in a parliamentary election seen as crucial to the future direction of this large Muslim but secular democracy straddling Europe and the Middle East. Turkey's ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party won more than 50 percent of the vote in a national victory, early results indicated.The stronger than expected showing gives the pro-business party a mandate for reform but potentially sets the stage for renewed tensions with the secular elite.