Mixed Feelings About Gül in the Streets

This is how Ebru Sari explained her thoughts on Gül's presidential candidacy to bianet. ,

We spoke to ten people in Karaköy and Tophane after it became clear that Gül would stand as president. Three evaluated his candidacy negatively, while four welcomed it and did not feel that laicism in Turkey was threatened. The final three made comments about the political atmosphere in which Gül had announced his decision.

While some hoped from help from the army, others said that the actions of the party supported by the people needed to be respected.

Gül should become president because...

Gülay Karaca, 20: I think he will be beneficial for Turkey. I don't believe he is against laicism. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has received many votes, it has the support of the people. This has been Turkey's choice.

Can Cakmak, 28: He had announced his candidacy before. If he had withdrawn it, he would have risked his career. There won't be any tension; he has the support of the majority of the AKP. The opposition, which did not get the votes it expected, can do nothing about it.

Murat Kurt, 29: We won't suddenly have sharia in this country! Now that the AKP got so many votes, the army will also respect it. Anyway, there was never a big reaction against Gül, the newspapers exaggerated it.

Tülay Sinanoglu, 26: There is no better candidate than him. The opposition has already said all it has to say.

Gül should not become president because...

Seda Bozkurt, 30: My daughter cried and said, "Mummy, I don't want to wear a headscarf." The young people abroad are also feeling uncomfortable. We are already being discriminated against for being Muslims, but this will increase. Maybe there will be another coup. We will lose 20 to 30 years.

Songül Erdogan,31: This does not match my way of thinking, the way I was brought up. If Gül becomes president, women will be treated as second-class citizens. The army should have reacted long ago.

Esref Yildirim, 39: This is bad for Turkey. The Republican People's Party (CHP) is going to criticise the AKP and there will be tensions. The army has common sense. I hope it does not allow a reactionary regime.

The AKP had to show Gül as a candidate because...

Gülay Ince, 52: The AKP has displayed self-confidence. If Gül becomes president, stability will continue, but in an oppressed manner. As soon as the AKP-CHP conflict becomes too obvious, the army will openly express its unhappiness.

Ramazan Cavusoglu, 27: When the army reacted before the elections, Erdogan did not say, "We made a mistake" or take a step backwards. If he did that now, he would give the impression of fear. Even if the army or the CHP react, it won't help. People like Gül. It does not matter to people whether the president's wife wears a headscarf. (GG/NZ/AG)