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Turkey set to elect new president Turkish MPs elect Gul president
(about 1 hour later)
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is expected to be elected as president amid warnings from the military against undermining the secular constitution. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, a former Islamist, has been elected president in a parliamentary vote.
Mr Gul, a former Islamist, is set to become president in a parliamentary poll that started on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Gul was elected in a third round of voting, after months of tension between Turkey's ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party and the secular establishment.
The ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party candidate has vowed to remain loyal to the republic's strict secular values. The vote came a day after a new warning from the military about attempts to undermine the secular constitution.
His party, which won recent snap polls, now needs a simple majority in a third round of voting to secure his election. Mr Gul, whose wife wears a Muslim headscarf, has pledged to respect Turkey's secular institutions.
The AKP, which won recent snap polls, needed only a simple majority in the third round of voting.
Turkey's military chief warned on Monday that "centres of evil" were trying to undermine the state.Turkey's military chief warned on Monday that "centres of evil" were trying to undermine the state.
Gen Yasar Buyukanit did not name those he said were "trying to corrode the secular nature of the Turkish Republic."Gen Yasar Buyukanit did not name those he said were "trying to corrode the secular nature of the Turkish Republic."
But analysts said the statement was clearly aimed at Mr Gul, a devout Muslim.But analysts said the statement was clearly aimed at Mr Gul, a devout Muslim.
Political crisisPolitical crisis
Mr Gul, who has established himself as a skilled diplomat by steering Turkey towards European Union entry talks, has pledged to be a ruler for all Turks and respect the country's institutions.Mr Gul, who has established himself as a skilled diplomat by steering Turkey towards European Union entry talks, has pledged to be a ruler for all Turks and respect the country's institutions.
The army, which sees itself as the guardian of Turkey's secularism, has ousted four governments in the past 60 years.The army, which sees itself as the guardian of Turkey's secularism, has ousted four governments in the past 60 years.
Mr Gul's wife has been criticised for wearing the headscarf Profile: Abdullah Gul Q&A: Presidency battleMr Gul's wife has been criticised for wearing the headscarf Profile: Abdullah Gul Q&A: Presidency battle
It was the second warning issued by the military in recent months.It was the second warning issued by the military in recent months.
In April, the army expressed its concern after Mr Gul only narrowly failed to gain enough support from MPs to become president in a first round.In April, the army expressed its concern after Mr Gul only narrowly failed to gain enough support from MPs to become president in a first round.
The following stand-off between the AKP and secularist parties in parliament triggered a political crisis that led to snap elections in July.The following stand-off between the AKP and secularist parties in parliament triggered a political crisis that led to snap elections in July.
The AKP won those polls convincingly with 47% and again nominated Mr Gul for the post of president.The AKP won those polls convincingly with 47% and again nominated Mr Gul for the post of president.
He narrowly failed to gather enough votes in the first two rounds but is expected to be elected in the third round on Tuesday.
Turkey's military and secular establishment suspect he might harbour a secret Islamist agenda.Turkey's military and secular establishment suspect he might harbour a secret Islamist agenda.
There is alarm at the prospect of a woman, his wife, wearing the Islamic headscarf in the Cankaya presidential palace.
The founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, banished religious influence from public life when he founded the modern Western-style republic on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire.The founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, banished religious influence from public life when he founded the modern Western-style republic on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire.