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New Turkey presidency row looms New Turkey presidency row looms
(about 1 hour later)
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has confirmed he plans to stand again as a presidential candidate.Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has confirmed he plans to stand again as a presidential candidate.
His previous presidential bid sparked huge protests in May because of his Islamist roots. Secular institutions, including the army, opposed him.His previous presidential bid sparked huge protests in May because of his Islamist roots. Secular institutions, including the army, opposed him.
Mr Gul said his ruling AK Party, which won a convincing victory in elections last month, was backing his bid.Mr Gul said his ruling AK Party, which won a convincing victory in elections last month, was backing his bid.
Opponents dislike the fact that Mr Gul's wife wears the Muslim headscarf, which is banned in state institutions.Opponents dislike the fact that Mr Gul's wife wears the Muslim headscarf, which is banned in state institutions.
The failure of his first presidential bid led to an early general election.The failure of his first presidential bid led to an early general election.
ABDULLAH GUL Became MP for Islamist Welfare Party in 1991Criminal conviction for reading Islamist poem at a political rallyFounding member of AKP in 2001Foreign minister since 2003, steered EU accession talks Profile: Abdullah Gul Press hesitant over Gul ABDULLAH GUL Became MP for Islamist Welfare Party in 1991Founding member of AKP in 2001Foreign minister since 2003, steered EU accession talks Profile: Abdullah Gul Press hesitant over Gul
Mr Gul is meeting opposition party leaders in an attempt to gather support for his election bid.Mr Gul is meeting opposition party leaders in an attempt to gather support for his election bid.
Under parliamentary rules, candidates must put themselves forward before midnight on 19 August, with the first ballot scheduled for 20 August.Under parliamentary rules, candidates must put themselves forward before midnight on 19 August, with the first ballot scheduled for 20 August.
One of the main opposition parties, the MHP, has previously said it would not boycott the latest election, a move likely to ensure a quorum of two-thirds of MPs to make a valid vote.One of the main opposition parties, the MHP, has previously said it would not boycott the latest election, a move likely to ensure a quorum of two-thirds of MPs to make a valid vote.
Lingering oppositionLingering opposition
Mr Gul's previous bid for the presidency failed because opposition parties boycotted the two votes in April and May.Mr Gul's previous bid for the presidency failed because opposition parties boycotted the two votes in April and May.
In the first and second round of voting a candidate must win a two-thirds majority to be elected - 367 votes out of the total of 550 deputies.In the first and second round of voting a candidate must win a two-thirds majority to be elected - 367 votes out of the total of 550 deputies.
PARTIES IN PARLIAMENT AKP 341 seatsCHP 99 seatsMHP 70 seatsKurdish MPs (DTP) 22 seatsDemocratic Left Party 13 seatsIndependents 4 seatsTotal 550 seatsPARTIES IN PARLIAMENT AKP 341 seatsCHP 99 seatsMHP 70 seatsKurdish MPs (DTP) 22 seatsDemocratic Left Party 13 seatsIndependents 4 seatsTotal 550 seats
The AKP does not have 367 deputies sitting in parliament.The AKP does not have 367 deputies sitting in parliament.
But in the third and fourth round only an absolute majority of 276 is required.But in the third and fourth round only an absolute majority of 276 is required.
The governing party has 341 MPs, so the AKP's candidate would be highly likely to win any contest in a third or fourth round.The governing party has 341 MPs, so the AKP's candidate would be highly likely to win any contest in a third or fourth round.
The largest opposition party, the secular centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP), has stated its continued opposition to Mr Gul's candidacy.The largest opposition party, the secular centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP), has stated its continued opposition to Mr Gul's candidacy.
"Gul is a conscious member of an ideological circle," CHP leader Deniz Baykal told CNN Turk television."Gul is a conscious member of an ideological circle," CHP leader Deniz Baykal told CNN Turk television.
"Turkey would become a country in which the political balances were changing very fast, in which the Middle East identity would become more pronounced." HAVE YOUR SAY I believe he will be a good President as the AKP did a lot for the economy and the people of Turkey. Dr.Mohammad Javad Malayeri, Tehran Send us your comments"Turkey would become a country in which the political balances were changing very fast, in which the Middle East identity would become more pronounced." HAVE YOUR SAY I believe he will be a good President as the AKP did a lot for the economy and the people of Turkey. Dr.Mohammad Javad Malayeri, Tehran Send us your comments
The job of president is largely ceremonial, but the incumbent has the power to veto legislative bills and government appointments.The job of president is largely ceremonial, but the incumbent has the power to veto legislative bills and government appointments.
The current president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, often frustrated the government by blocking its initiatives.The current president, Ahmet Necdet Sezer, often frustrated the government by blocking its initiatives.