Turkey's tiny Saadet Party emerges as potential kingmaker
The Islamist Saadet Party's message of reconciliation and more moderate approach to religion may build support beyond its conservative base, especially with voters disenchanted after 15 years under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ruled out early elections again this week, but speculation that the government could still surprise Turkey with an early vote has parties jostling to pick popular presidential candidates and form electoral alliances.
Out of the scrum has emerged an unexpected power broker: the small Islamist Saadet Party, or Felicity Party, led by Temel Karamollaoglu, a mild-mannered former engineer who has been courted by players across the spectrum, including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
