Turkey's Islamic-Rooted Governing Party Sweeps Polls

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Turkey's Islamic-Rooted Governing Party Sweeps Polls in Local Elections; Win Might Impact Cyprus

Kadir Topbas, the candidate for mayor of Istanbul for Turkey's governing party, casts his vote in Istanbul, Turkey Sunday, March 28, 2004. The governing Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party is expected to make a strong showing in the elections and is likely to win key races, including Istanbul. (AP Photo/Osman Orsal)
03-28-2004 12:29 PM

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Turkey's Islamic-rooted governing party swept local elections across the country Sunday, according to early results, giving Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a major victory.

The results could strengthen Erdogan's hand in pushing for a solution in talks now underway over the divided island of Cyprus. But it could also raise fears of a loosening of secular laws.

Only about 1 percent of the vote had been counted so far but analysts said the outcome was not likely to change dramatically.

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