Das Risiko der Türkei und die Rolle Europas[en] 

The Turkish chief prosecutor has initiated proceedings against the ruling Islamic AKP party over anti-secular activities related to allowing headscarves in Turkish universities. If the charges are deemed merited, then half of the Turkish electorate who voted in the July 2007 election will have voted for political parties that pose a threat to democracy, say the authors. 

However, if the charges are not substantiated, then the judiciary will need serious restructuring, claim the scholars. Whichever way the charges go, the issue is putting Turkey's compliance with the Copenhagen criteria at risk as it is compromising its institutions, say the authors. 

In response to the chief prosecutor, the AKP is said to be considering a series of "surgical amendments" to the constitution which would make the dissolution of a political party difficult. The authors claim this would be an error as it would renege on political promises made by the AKP prior to the election regarding a "liberal European constitution". As the AKP has repeatedly fallen short of this promise, argue the scholars, a complete overhaul of the constitution is necessary rather than just selective amendments. 

The opposition CHP party also deserves strong criticism as it has so far failed to articulate a coherent EU perspective for Turkey, according to the authors. The group of scholars urge the CHP to test the AKP more on EU reforms. 

The EU has a vital role to play in this, their analysis concludes. The authors urge the bloc to intensify its rhetoric of welcoming Turkish membership of the EU once all the reforms are concluded.