Erdogan: "If You Cannot Accept Gül, Then Go"

In a discussion programme on Kanal D yesterday (20 August) evening, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told moderator Ugur Dündar that "compromise was never unanimous". 
 
He recounted that presidential candidate Abdullah Gül had visited everyone and emphasised that even the constitution did not seek absolute consensus, considering 276 votes sufficient in the third ballot.
 
"Give up Turkish citizenship"

Erdogan pointed out that Gül, should he become president, would cut all relations with the Justice and Development Party (AKP). He said, "Some people are saying, 'He cannot be my president'. Some of your colleagues [meaning journalists] who say that should first give up their Turkish citizenship. This is my right."
 
CHP: "No overly relaxed relations"  

Meanwhile, Deniz Baykal, chairperson of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said at his party's group meeting yesterday that Gül could not be a president to bringTurkey together. The group meeting was closed to the press.
Baykal expressed clearly that the CHP, which has boycotted the presidential elections for the second time, would not visit Cankaya Palace (the presidential residence) unless absolutely necessary:

"The elected person will be president, we respect that. But we will not take part in unnecessary, meaninless, overly relaxed relations."

He repeated his opinion that Gül was not trustworthy. Baykal quoted some phrases that Gül had used before and said: "Gül [now] says that he is not acting, but his statements do not satisfy us."

DTP:"Our stance may change"

The pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) left their ballot papers empty yesterday. However, group chairperson Ahmet Türk said: "ıf his promise to embrace everyone is kept, we may be able to offer something, our group's stance may change."

Abdullah Gül's last visit before the first ballot had been to the Turkey Union of Bar Associations. The Union president Özdemir Özok had expressed his satisfaction with the visit, but said, "Dear Gül, we do not have any personal objections towards you. But we love the Republic very much. The office of president is a very important office. Because of this sensitivity we oppose your candidacy."  (NZ/AG)