Turkish PM does not rule out Gül’s second term at presidency

ANKARA

Turkish President Abdullah Gül, right, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are seen during a meeting in Ankara. AP Photo

The ruling party will not take any step that would lead to chaos in Turkey regarding the presidential elections, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.

During his speech, Erdoğan did not rule out a potential second term for current President Abdullah Gül.

Erdoğan said there will not be any problems between the two men, while stating that his final decision on a presidential bid will follow the Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) two day camp in Afyon on May 9.

“In 2007, everybody expected my candidacy for the presidency. You [journalists] wrote about it at that time, but we threw you a curve by announcing [Abdullah Gül] as our presidential candidate. We may do the same now,” Erdoğan told reporters on April 23.

Erdoğan’s recalling 2007’s presidential elections is seen as remarkable and important, strengthening his earlier statements that he has not yet made his decision about his candidacy for presidency.

Erdoğan said consultations will continue and that the AKP’s 1,100 congress delegates will be invited to Ankara for a large consultation regarding the presidential elections, which will be followed by the party’s central-decision making bodies. At the end of his long consultation inside the party, he will hold the last meeting with President Gül and then will announce his decision.

“We are not going to take any step that would lead to chaos in Turkey,” he added.

Upon a question, Erdoğan was in favor of the adoption of a presidential system to avoid authority clashes at the state’s administration.