Being a second generation turk living outside of the country. I look one the situation with great apprehension. The comments of Tandogan are totally valid and so are this artical's. The AKP will give no freedom, they are simply using the illusion to galvanize their power. i am sorry for the people of turkey as the way the situation looks the only way the republic will be saved is through harsher actions by its guardians than those on april 27th.

selcuk, toronto,

Why does Mr Taheri whose anti-AKP bias is conspicuous chose purposely to portray Turkey's ruling governtment as a bunch of Islamic extremists while wilfully ignoring people's choice after the general elections ? I just don't know.

Yes, Mr Erdogan sent his daughters to university abroad because they were not allowed to wear the hijab at Turkish universities. But all I can tell is that Mr Tayyib Erdogan's daughter is not in Saudi Arabia or Iran. She's studying at the Indiana University in the US and those anti-semitic doctor was played by the Holywood actor Gary Busey. Also, that series was aired on the TV channel owned by a tycoon(Aydin Dogan) whose opposition to AKP is well known.

Martens Honteigtoon, Den Haag, Netherlands

Mr Mertsoy:

I fail to see how Europe is "losing" by getting rid of Turkey. 52% of the EU´s population is against having Turkey join, only 35% is in favor (and these 35% include the millions of turks who left behind their own backward country to find happiness in the EU).

If there are any losers, its the AKP for its policy of trying to push 70 million asiatic moslems into what is a european club, and our own transnational elites who want that very thing to happen despite enormous popular opposition.

If anything, the folly allowing Turkey in is has only been made clearer.

Henrik Krog, Odense, Denmark

I am so sad for my 7 years old daughter. What would I do if some day I find her brainwashed by some teachers this government appointed specifically? What would I do if she accuses me of being sinful because I am working outside with males who are supposed not see my hair? Do you think this is paranoia? What would you say about the books freely distributed in primary schools teaching things like this? What would you say about many teachers who are freely imposing such things in public schools? What would you say about elimination of the theory of evolution from school books? Do you believe that there is no possibility for these things going further? I really want to believe that you are right but I my hopes are weakening when I look around.

I want to add a Turkey specific irony: There are many people I know who are suspicious about Islamization but voted that government by relieving their suspicion with a deep trust in the army to protect secularism in case of need!

Tandogan, Istanbul, Turkey

Dear Friend Amir Taheri, you are dead wrong, Turkey had a fair and Mature democratic election AKP won with increased majority.
Army will stay out of politic,government will continue with social and economic reforms. Mr Erdogan is going to make Turkey one of the strong country in the WORLD.

Matthew, Leeds, England

If the AKP move ever closer to an islamic then there should be less appetite for joining the EU and we can then relax on this issue. The EU is far too big already.

D Case, Newquay,

What an entirely paranoid analysis. If we were to believe this in a decade or so we would have an Islamic Republic on our (the EU's) doorstep ready to send the fanatical hordes in a new conquest of Europe by the Turks. Lets be realistic here. The AKP was re-elected for good governence; the average Turk has seen his/her lot greatly improve (see reports on economic growth and inflation). To the alarm of the nationalists the reforms implemented by the government are firmly setting Turkey on her way to EU norms. Ironic then that a so called Islamist party has firmly picked up the baton of Mustafa Kema's legacy and is now attempting to steer the country ever more firmly towards Europe. Congratulations Mr Erdogan and lets hope your party proves to be catalyst for more Muslim Democrats in other Muslim countries.

arif, chorley, england

If Turkey were to turn her back on Europe then that would be a very great tragedy for all concerned.

Secular Turkey is in political terms a beacon of hope that countries with islamic populations can live in peace with their neighbours, and grow and be part of the community of nations. If Europe were explicitly to exclude, or as is more probable, to encourage the Turks to believe that this cannot happen, then a very significant factor in healing the rift with the middle east would disappear.

Economically, having a vast growing peaceful Turkey as part of the EU would be an enormous advantage as a market for consumer products and a source of manufactured goods, as well as a route to the potentially immensely wealthy markets of former Persia and the Middle East (which will one day start palying the game).

It is a tragedy that sensible discourse is so often hijacked by bigotry and prejudice (on both sides).

Once the referendum has been lost perhaps we could form a bilateral all

cuffleyburgers, Lucca,

Turkey is not in Europe. Why should it become a member of the EU?

Kevin, Belfast,

Turkey needs to forge ahead on Ataturks visionary path. Turk's gained nothing from an Islamic identity. Equally, they will gain nothing from EU membership. It is a young country, which does not need 'old relations' to take care of in 20 years time.

However, Turkey should continue on its path of EU membership. This is a clear case of the journey being more important than the destination.

Kara Swart, London, United Kingdom

Why is it that Amir Taheri cannot accept the obvious, which is that the people of Turkey voted for a party which has proved it is competent, and which has delivered the goods. As far as I know, this is the first time an incumbent administration has been voted back into power, since multi-party elections were allowed in Turkey.
Turkish people have a long history of "throwing the rascals out". AK Parti was reelected with an increased share of the vote, This says volumes about their appeal to the Turkish electorate. The vote can also be read as a slap in the face for the Army, the CHP and the judiciary, which were widely perceived to be "ganging up" on the AK Parti.
I lived in Turkey for nine years, and the changes since Erdogan came to power have been immense. They have benefitted the ordinary people, and reduced the power of the "Derin Devlet" or Deep State, the nexus of bureaucrats, judges and Army officers. Any coup attempt will be seen as naked self interest .EU Entry!

MacTurk, Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic

As a Brit expat living in Athens, I believe Mr Taheri's analysis of the post-election situation in Turkey is entirely accurate: we don't know what will happen next in terms of the Turkish army's reaction to the growing power of the Islamists. But that's the nub of the issue! Where else in the EU would we be waiting for the military's response to a free election? Furthermore, I can't understand the British and American governments' obsessive support for Turkey's entry to the EU - unless they wish to expedite the implosion of the EU itself. Of course I wish the new Turkish government and its people well but surely its national and cultural destiny lies in the Muslim East rather than the Christian and increasingly Atheistic West where, most critically, all religions, homosexuals and women are treated equal under the law? Kemal Attaturk - born in Thessalonica, Greece - was/is a revolutionary anachronism
in the Turkish context. By voting Islamist, Turkey is now recovering its past glory.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

Yep, sounds like Turkey is on its way to become another Muslim state that rules by religion, not by equality. Islam aims to control the world with its particular religious views...Turkey is next. Let me see, how many countries are considered Christian, how many are considered Hindu or Buddhist, how many Jewish, etc.

Who is winning..?

reza santorini, Chicago, IL

I think why the majority of people have given their votes to AKP is to feel good conditions in economy, but not in real life,virtually. I mean the media and business world have monitored a great picture of Turkish improving economy which has been right at some points.However,if there is no equal sharing in the community,undoubtedly you dont feel eveything is allright !!! Governing a country does not mean only economy.You have some unchangable rules which make a country stable and on its feet.Up to now AKP has done lots of mistakes by using their majority in the parliament.You can not care the rest of the parliament.You have to talk,negoitate and make decisions together.
By the way, you made some wrong approaches when you were evaluating the parties. Every single person in this country wants to live in peace,good economic conditions with social rights and justice.Defending all these things in terms of constutition doens mean being fasism! I hope future will be better than now !!!

Arslan Bugra, Adana, Turkey

Mr. Taheri,
You are dead wrong. If you are looking for a real loser in these Turkish elections, then look no further then EU and Europe. They are the real losers. The result of these elections show the will of the Turkish people who are disgusted with what they hear EU leaders say about them. This is the backlash EU will learn to live with for some time now.

Mr. Levent Mertsoy, IZMIR, TURKEY

So the mystery is, why did so many secularists voted for AKP ?
Is it really & only because they are comfortable with better living standards. ?
It's going to get tense in the coming months I feel.

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

I am amazed to read this article as it is one of its kind and refers to the very matters that are troubling the secular Turks for some time. Thanks for writing the truth about AKP leader and his party's hidden agenda! Everyone says AKP has brought prosperity to Turkey, but most people are ignoring the fact that it is also taking away the modernism that Ataturk brought when he re-formed the country after World War One. Turks should not forget who they are...Life is not just money!

Eda, London,

Religion is a private matter. It has no place in government,schools,law,politics, in fact nowhere except in a place of worship and ones own mind. I am always struck by the numbers of religious followers who are absolutely convinced that those who are not, are wrong. Non believers really couldn't care less but are prepared to have to suffer the interference of these people. If believers get some comfort or solace from their cause, then so be it.
I say again, religion is a private matter.

michael john murphy, brightlingsea, england