President Gül: I have never considered founding a new party

ANKARA

Outgoing President Gül denied rumors that we might establish a new party.

President Abdullah Gül has denied media reports that he was unhappy with the situation in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and was considering taking a different path in his post-presidency period.

Daily Cumhuriyet reported on July 17 that Gül was planning to form a new party as he was “isolated” from the AKP, although he was one of the founders of the party in the early 2000s. The report claimed Gül was complaining about being isolated and was considering starting a new political journey with some of his fellows from the AKP.

“Our president has shared his opinions about the matters that were discussed in the news story. He has never considered founding a new political party,” a statement published by the President’s Office on July 17 read.  

In a recent statement, Gül said he would continue to serve for the people, but he did not detail under what capacity he would do so. Gül is among the top candidates to lead the AKP and become the prime minister in the case Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is elected president in the Aug. 10 election.