When asked in an interview what the phenomenal
popularity of his Islamist Justice & Development Party
(AKP) was based on, party chairman Tayyip Erdogan replied:
"Hatred, rage and revenge."
His answer did not need elaboration. Turks understand that he
was referring to what many of their compatriots feel about a
corrupt political establishment that has landed them with the worst
economic crisis in Turkey's post-war history. Last year's massive
devaluation lost a million people their jobs and 95% of the
population has been impoverished by it. Per capita income fell from
$2,980 in 2000 to $2,170 in 2001. According to an American banker,
in the past three years $45 billion (25% of GNP) has fled Turkey to
enter the Swiss banking system.
Turks have always distrusted politicians but their doubts about
the political establishment have intensified. An opinion poll
conducted by Istanbul daily Milliyet among Turks aged between 16
and 26,...
