(dpa) - The German government Monday expressed criticism of a legal move to have Turkey's ruling AKP party declared unconstitutional.
"I have taken noted of the banning application against the Turkish ruling party, the AKP, with incomprehension," Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier said.
Under the leadership of President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, the AKP had shown its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, Steinmeier said.
The German foreign minister noted that the Turkish electorate had voted the AKP into power by a large majority in free elections in July last year.
"I have confidence in the judicial impartiality of the Turkish constitutional court and assume that the application will quickly be rejected," he said.
Steinmeier said the government should continue with its reform course, undeterred by the court action, in order to push ahead with economic reforms and greater closeness to the European Union.
Chief Prosecutor Abdurrahman Yalcinkaya on Friday lodged an indictment against the AKP seeking to have the party banned on the basis that it was a focal point for anti-secular activities.