Parties face protest votes as Turkey goes to the polls

NATO member Turkey voted yesterday in parliamentary polls that could change the political landscape of a country mired in economic crisis and facing the threat of war in neighbouring Iraq.

Surveys show a big lead for the year-old Justice and Development Party (AKP) accused by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit of harbouring a secret “Islamist” agenda.

Established parties face a huge protest vote after two economic crises that have caused widespread poverty and unemployment. Corruption has also become a major issue.