Turkey's two main parties signalled today the government may be dropping plans for a controversial adultery ban that has outraged liberals, unnerved markets and annoyed the European Union that Ankara wants to join.
Several EU foreign ministers have said the proposal to punish cheating spouses as part of wider penal code amendments might jeopardise Turkey's chances when EU leaders decide in December whether to give it a start date for entry talks.
After a last-minute meeting before parliament was due to debate the reforms, top officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said they would present the penal code package as a joint proposal.
"We have an agreement to put forward a law which guarantees rights and freedoms," Justice Minister Mr Cemil Cicek told reporters in a joint announcement with CHP leader Mr Deniz Baykal and Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Gul.
The three men declined to comment directly on the adultery issue. But with the centre-left CHP solidly opposed to the adultery ban, it seemed clear the clause would be dropped.
Turkey's stock market rose 2 per cent just before the news in anticipation the adultery measure would be scrapped, and closed up 3 per cent at a record high.