Turkey appeared to be heading for months of political uncertainty and disruption of government policy after the top court unanimously voted to hear a case for banning the Islamic-rooted ruling party.

The decision by the Constitutional Court on March 31 highlighted the power struggle between the secular establishment and allies of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pious Muslims who have advocated Western-style reforms as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

The decision also tests the institutions of a democracy with an authoritarian legacy, and has deepened concerns that the political rift is hurting an economy that emerged from chaos in 2001 to become a magnet for foreign investment.