Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) abandoned a proposal to recriminalize adultery in September 2004, backing down after widespread public opposition and pointed warnings from European leaders that the measure could jeopardize Türkiye's bid to open EU membership negotiations in December.
Political analysts said the episode exposed a structural divide within the AKP between a pragmatic conservative wing and a more religiously hardline base. Dogu Ergil, a professor of political science, described the party as having an "enlightened side" and a "dark side," with the adultery proposal driven by pressure from the reactionary grassroots.
An EU diplomat in Ankara, speaking anonymously, said the reversal suggested the party still requires external pressure from Brussels to stay aligned with European standards. The diplomat acknowledged that a significant portion of the AKP's supporters hold conservative religious views, but said the party was willing to set those aside in pursuit of EU membership.
Analysts warned the controversy could still damage Türkiye's image ahead of a critical European Commission progress report expected the following month. European leaders planned to use that report when deciding in December whether to open accession talks with Ankara.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in September 2004, in its own words.