(CPOD) Mar. 23, 2004 - The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is poised for a victory in this month's municipal election in Turkey, according to a poll by A&G Research Company released by NTV. 56.7 per cent of respondents in three major cities—Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir—will support the AKP.

Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has administered the government since March 2003, and has actively pursued the country's entry into the European Union (EU). Turkey has been seeking inclusion for more than forty years, and filed a formal application to that effect in 1987. Since then, it has taken steps required only of members—including the establishment of a customs union—but was not accepted as a candidate state until 1999.

Angela Merkel, the leader of Germany's Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), caused a row last month when she suggested that the EU should consider granting Turkey only a "privileged partnership" as opposed to full membership.

Turkey's municipal election is scheduled for Mar. 28.

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