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Thousands of Turks protest ahead of elections

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-20 16:35

SAMSUN, - Thousands of people gathered in the Turkish Black Sea city of Samsun on Sunday for the latest in a series of rallies against the Islamist-rooted government before July elections.

The protest is billed by organisers as an opportunity to unite the divided opposition against a government they accuse of aiming to undermine the secular state in overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey.

The latest rally follows a pact on Thursday between the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the smaller left-wing DSP to contest the July 22 elections together.

The leaders of the two parties were set to attend the meeting together as they look to build support ahead of the polls. Two right-wing parties have also merged recently.

Amid a large police presence, thousands of Turks held aloft red Turkish flags as they descended upon the main city square in the heart of Samsun.

At least a million people attended a rally last weekend in the Aegean port city of Izmir and similar protests have also been held in the capital Ankara and largest city Istanbul.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party called general elections months ahead of schedule to resolve a deep conflict with Turkey's secularist elite over a presidential election.

The secular establishment, including the military,judges and opposition parties, derailed the government's plan to elect Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as president, fearing he might weaken the official separation of religion and state in Turkey.

The centre-right AK Party is expected to attract the most votes in elections, but may be forced to form a coalition government.