Democratic Politics Has No Alternative, Erdogan

ISTANBUL - Turkey`s Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that democratic politics has no alternative.
"Trying to hamper democratic politics, civilian politics and liberal democracy is the most unjust thing that can be done to a nation," Erdogan said in a regular convention of the women`s branches of his Justice & Development (AK) Party in Istanbul.
Erdogan defined his party as "a group adopting and protecting the values of the Republic as a whole; committed to democracy, justice and judiciary; and determined to carry Turkey above the level of contemporary civilizations."
Premier Erdogan enumerated characteristics of democracy as free existence of different political parties and views, free competition of parties and views, pluralism and taking political rights under guarantee.
"Turkey has never won in any situation the nation lost. If same shadows are cast over democratic and economic stability, again Turkey will be the one to lose," he said.
On local elections due in March 2009, Erdogan said he believes his party will come out of the elections more strongly.
(BRC-AÖ)