Gül, Erdoğan convene amid presidency debate

ANKARA

The most recent and publicly known meeting between the two leaders was March 31, a day after the March 30 local elections. AA Photo

Turkish President Abdullah Gül and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have met for the first time after both publicly made comments regarding their position vis-à-vis the upcoming presidential elections.

The meeting between Gül, Erdoğan’s old comrade, and the prime minister, took one hour and 10 minutes late April 10. The closed-door meeting came just a day after the former indicated unease with the formulas floating around about his position in a potential post-Erdoğan era, saying his word was crucial in the presidential elections because the issue individually concerns him. 

The most recent and publicly known meeting between the two leaders was March 31, a day after the March 30 local elections in which the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by Erdoğan made a strong showing despite a huge corruption and bribery scandal that has shaken the government.

During an official visit to Kuwait on April 2, Gül said the exact day to speak about everything concerning the upcoming presidential elections had arrived, in remarks acknowledging that the March 30 local elections had unofficially opened the way to the presidential vote in August.

As of April 8, Gül said he would discuss the issue with “friends, primarily with Erdoğan,” and will decide accordingly when asked whether he would prefer being elected deputy of the northeastern province of Bayburt or going to an early election in order to assume the Prime Ministry.

Erdoğan has made no secret of his desire to become president, albeit with substantially increased powers.