Gül: Domestic Media Reactions

Most Turkish papers today had Abdullah Gül's presidential victory on the front page, also covering the speech he made at the oath-taking ceremony and the fact that the military did not join the ceremony.

References were made to "Cankaya" and "the Palace", both alluding to the presidential residence. Some newspapers also used the meaning of Gül ("rose") to make puns.

Birgün: The headline read "The Gül Period at the Palace" and underneath it said, "A new period is starting in Turkey. Gül will begin by passing all the decrees and laws that Sezer had delayed." On its fifth page, it had a news item entitled "The Rose (Gül) Period with Thorns at the Palace".

Evrensel: As a banner headline, the newspaper chose to write about seasonal agricultural workers and their protests for better living conditions. As an upper headline it chose "Gül in Cankaya". Yesterday, it had used the heading, "The friend of the USA, the EU and the bosses is going to Cankaya".

Özgür Gündem: The newspapers banner headline writes about the comments of PKK representative Murat Karayilan on the AKP's draft of a civil constitution.

Radikal: The newspaper placed the president's oath on the front page and warned in its headline, "Honourable Gül, never forget this oath". The newspaper also published Gül's complete inaugural address under the headline "Emphasis on Freedom and Laicism".

Milliyet: The newspaper said, "Gül Period in Cankaya" and "A Description of Laicism in the First Speech".

Vatan: The first page was dominated by a big picture in which Gül stands in front of soldiers, under the headline of "New Turkey". Below, it continued, "A new period has started with Gül. For the first time, Cankaya has a president with a headscarved wife. Again for the first time, [military] commanders have stayed away from the swearing-in of the president, who carries the title of 'commander -in-chief'. The article covering his speech was headed "A New Definition of Laicism". The newspaper also wrote about the list of appointments which Gül will make in the next seven years.

Hürriyet: The first page carried the headings, "The Eleventh President and His Oath" and "First Speech was on Laicism".

Sabah: A big photo of Gül covering most of the front page was accompanied by the headline "Eleventh President Abdullah Gül" and underneath, "First words from Gül: I will be neutral. Let us not be afraid of freedoms. Difference and variety are our wealth. I will embrace all citizens." The second headline on the first page read, "The sixtieth government at the palace today", referring to the Prime Minister's presentation of the new cabinet.

Cumhuriyet: The newspaper carried the headline "Gül is President" on its front page, and above it the text: "The AKP, which brought tension to Turkey with its obstinacy and imposition, has managed to send its candidate to Cankaya after a poll that was boycotted by the CHP and an oath-taking ceremony which was not attended by the commanders."
Zaman: The first page carried the banner headline, "Gül Period in Cankaya" and, referring to his inaugural address, the headline, "I Will Embrace Everyone". It covered reactions to his election.

Yeni Safak: The front page read, "He started in a Rosy Manner" and, in another play on words, "The Economy Smiled (Güldü)", referring to employers' organisations.

Aksam: The banner headline said, "A New Description of Laicism" and underneath, "He redefined laicism by including the freedom of religion." Other headlines on the front page were, "The commander-in-chief was not watched by the army" and "A Reception with Champagne", referring to the first reception in Cankaya.

Star: The newspaper also spoke of "A Gül Period at Cankaya" and, referring to Erdogan and his election slogan of "proceeding on our way", said "He opened his way". Underneath it said, "Despite great expectations of the public, Prime Minister Erdogan has preferred to stay at the head of execution and has brought his friend Gül into Cankaya". It also covered the gun salutes of the army centres, saying, "101 gun salutes". US President Bush's congratulatory phone call was also covered on the first page. (TK)