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A Turkish opposition party that values itself as a guardian of Islamic values recently suffered damaging national embarrassment after at least 10 prominent members were caught in a sex sting. Internet-posted videos showed lawmakers from the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) meeting young women for apparent trysts. Since release of the video, ten of these prominent members resigned.
The scandal benefitted the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) in Turkey’s recent elections. Voice of America reported that Devlet Bahceli, leader of the opposition MHP, accused the AK party of political maneuvering and a role in the sex sting.
On June 12, Recep Erdogan, leader of the AK party, was indeed re-elected to an unprecedented third consecutive term, although well short of the margin he sought. His re-election causes concern because Erdogan is expected to push constitutional reforms affording him unprecedented powers.
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