This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28106247
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Recep Tayyip Erdogan to run for Turkey presidency | Recep Tayyip Erdogan to run for Turkey presidency |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will run for Turkish president in the first direct election in August, his governing AK Party has confirmed. | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will run for Turkish president in the first direct election in August, his governing AK Party has confirmed. |
Mr Erdogan has been PM since 2003 but is barred from seeking a new term. | Mr Erdogan has been PM since 2003 but is barred from seeking a new term. |
In the midst of corruption allegations, critics say he has become more authoritarian, but Mr Erdogan says political foes are trying to oust him. | In the midst of corruption allegations, critics say he has become more authoritarian, but Mr Erdogan says political foes are trying to oust him. |
Mr Erdogan wants to give new powers to the president, which has been a largely ceremonial role. | |
In the past, the incumbent has been chosen by parliament. | |
But, for the first time, Turks will vote directly for their president in a two-round election in August. | |
In April, incumbent President Abdullah Gul ruled out swapping roles with his ally, Mr Erdogan, when his presidential term ends. | |
The AKP has won six consecutive elections, at national and local level, maintaining a solid base of support among the working class. | The AKP has won six consecutive elections, at national and local level, maintaining a solid base of support among the working class. |
Tuesday's announcement was greeted with loud applause by party members at a meeting in the capital, Ankara. | Tuesday's announcement was greeted with loud applause by party members at a meeting in the capital, Ankara. |
"The candidate for the 12th president is our prime minister, head of our party and Istanbul lawmaker Recep Tayyip Erdogan," Mehmet Ali Sahin, deputy AKP leader, announced. | |
Profile: Recep Tayyip Erdogan | |
Mr Erdogan's opponents accuse him of losing touch with ordinary people after more than a decade in power. | Mr Erdogan's opponents accuse him of losing touch with ordinary people after more than a decade in power. |
A wave of opponents rose up in May 2013 against the government's plans to convert Gezi Park in Istanbul into a replica military barracks. The prime minister called the demonstrators "capulcu"(riff-raff) - and ordered the police to retake the park. | A wave of opponents rose up in May 2013 against the government's plans to convert Gezi Park in Istanbul into a replica military barracks. The prime minister called the demonstrators "capulcu"(riff-raff) - and ordered the police to retake the park. |
Last December, prosecutors and police officers organised dawn raids against more than 50 businessmen, including the sons of three cabinet ministers - all allies of the prime minister. | Last December, prosecutors and police officers organised dawn raids against more than 50 businessmen, including the sons of three cabinet ministers - all allies of the prime minister. |
Mr Erdogan said the park protests and the raids were each orchestrated from abroad - a reference to the Gulen movement, named after its leader, a 72-year-old Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US. | |
Mr Gulen's Hizmet movement was unhappy with the way Mr Erdogan dealt with the Gezi Park protesters. | Mr Gulen's Hizmet movement was unhappy with the way Mr Erdogan dealt with the Gezi Park protesters. |
In April, Turkey said it would launch extradition proceedings against Mr Gulen. | In April, Turkey said it would launch extradition proceedings against Mr Gulen. |
He has many supporters in the police and judiciary, and has denounced moves to shut down the investigation into corruption allegations levelled against several of the prime minister's allies. | He has many supporters in the police and judiciary, and has denounced moves to shut down the investigation into corruption allegations levelled against several of the prime minister's allies. |
The Hizmet movement | The Hizmet movement |
Profile: Hizmet movement | Profile: Hizmet movement |
Turkey country profile | Turkey country profile |