Background information

Turkey’s Constitutional Court, comprised of an 11 member panel of judges, is set to hear a case against the ruling AK Party (AKP, Justice and Development Party) that could see it banned for anti-secular activities. A ruling against the AKP threatens to ban some 71 members of the party, including the Prime Minister and the President, from belonging to a political party for a period of five years.

The case, brought by Turkey’s chief prosecutor, is part of the ongoing struggle between the establishment and the AKP, which has its roots in Islamism. The same court recently blocked government moves allowing college students to wear headscarves on campuses. The AKP was re-elected last year with 47% of the vote. A decision against the AKP is likely to have an affect on Turkey’s bid to join the EU.

Will the Constitutional Court rule for or against the AKP? Read Katinka Barysch on the issue at Turkey: the constitutional frontline and Kirsty Hughes at Turkey’s judicial-political crisis .