Dutch referendum: No wins 63-37

[WMS]

The rise of political Islam in Turkey occurred in the 70s, ie as soon as there were free elections. I suppose you're talking about the Islamic parties breakthrough into the mainstream - forming the government for a first and now a second time.
They have moderated a lot - and they have had strong civil rights, and even pro-European planks in their programs even before that. Most pro-European liberals voted AKP at the last elections. Of course, it's in part just a case of joint enemies, ie Ataturkist generals.

Basically, in many respects Electionworld has it right - the AKP is now an 'Islam-Democratic' party, filling the same spot the Christian Democrats do. [there's also a 'Buddhist-Democratic' Party in Japan, the Kt...one of these days maybe we'll have Hindu-Democratic and Jewish-Democratic parties as well (I'm not sure Israel has a party that quite fits the definition...)]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Pardon me if the prospect of pampered French farmers losing some of their CAP subsidies fails to fill me with anguish.

[WMS]

The rise of political Islam in Turkey occurred in the 70s, ie as soon as there were free elections. I suppose you're talking about the Islamic parties breakthrough into the mainstream - forming the government for a first and now a second time.
They have moderated a lot - and they have had strong civil rights, and even pro-European planks in their programs even before that. Most pro-European liberals voted AKP at the last elections. Of course, it's in part just a case of joint enemies, ie Ataturkist generals.

Basically, in many respects Electionworld has it right - the AKP is now an 'Islam-Democratic' party, filling the same spot the Christian Democrats do. [there's also a 'Buddhist-Democratic' Party in Japan, the Kt...one of these days maybe we'll have Hindu-Democratic and Jewish-Democratic parties as well (I'm not sure Israel has a party that quite fits the definition...)]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Pardon me if the prospect of pampered French farmers losing some of their CAP subsidies fails to fill me with anguish.

Let alone German ones.
I'm not a great fan of subsidies to the rich either. [/understatement]

Well, I hear much more about French farmers being the huge victors under the CAP, but I suppose the German farmers must get their share...