ANKARA, March 9 (Reuters) - A nationalist party in Turkey's coalition government has made clear it is opposed to controversial reforms Ankara needs to introduce to secure membership of the European Union.

Speaking to his party members in the western city of Izmir late on Friday, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), said despite its opposition to the reforms, politicians were wrong to accuse them of being anti-European.

Turkey is a candidate for EU membership. Abolishing the death penalty and increasing rights for the Kurdish minority are among the sensitive reforms Brussels wants to see enacted before it begins embracing Turkey in the EU fold.

The reforms have exposed rifts in the coalition and raised concern over its future at a time when the country is attempting to emerge from a punishing financial crisis.

While liberals in the government support both, the MHP does not, saying they threaten Turkey's national security and unity.

"The MHP cannot compromise on Kurdish language education or lifting the death penalty," Bahceli said. "I am a person who has opposed lifting the death penalty for many years and my party is opposed to it."

The other two parties in the coalition government are the Democratic Left Party led by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit and the Motherland Party.

"Politicians and political bodies are aiming unjust criticisms at the MHP by saying they are social fascists and oppose the EU," Bahceli said.

"(But) the MHP says it is not in favour of lifting the death penalty at this time as it takes into account sensitivities in Turkey. Therefore what should be done? Shall we break up the government saying we cannot agree on this?" Bahceli said.

DIFFERENCES OVER KURDISH MINORITY

A general in Turkey's powerful military accused the EU this week of giving Turkey no support on key issues, including national security.

But reformists in the government, including Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, said Turkey must rid itself of unfounded fears that the reforms will create instability.

Ecevit said on Friday Turkey must not let occasional friction with the EU deflect it from its destiny in Europe.

Some in Turkey fear democratic reforms might encourage Kurds in the southeast of the country to demand autonomy.

They also reject lifting the death penalty, saying abolition would mean Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, currently facing execution, would escape punishment.

Turkey blames Ocalan for the deaths of more than 30,000 people during decades-long clashes between his guerrilla group and the Turkish military.

Turkey criticises the EU for failing to label the PKK and other guerrilla groups in Turkey as "terrorists."

Surveys in Turkey invariably show the majority of Turks favour EU membership, which they associate with prosperity and greater democratic freedoms.