Turkey's Hürriyet Daily News published an article by Murat Yetkin entitled "Gül scenarios in Ankara if Erdoğan ascends to presidency."
"There is no doubt left in Turkish politics that Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan wants to be the next president of Turkey, replacing his long-time fellow Abdullah Gül," the article begins.
"Keeping the “No more than three consecutive terms in Parliament” rule is like burning the boats behind him, as the Constitution dictates that only a member of Parliament can be the prime minister," the author writes. "It has not been officially announced yet, but Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has already announced that the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Parti) candidate for the presidency is “Erdoğan, 100 percent,” if he wants it."
"Gül had already said he had no plans for politics “under the current circumstances.” That was a reference to Erdoğan’s words that he would use “all of the presidential powers” if he becomes president. This might sound strange to an outsider, but we are talking about a Constitution prepared under the military regime of 1982. Even the military ruler Kenan Evren did not dare to use all of the powers given to him, for example, chairing Cabinet meetings, which would have been a recipe for in-house fights. Erdoğan’s words are an indirect announcement that he wants a low profile, Cabinet-coordinating prime minister. Gül, meanwhile, said "if that’s what you want, I am not the one," the author of the article informs.
"It is now valid to say that following Gül’s signal that he would stay out, instead of being a puppet prime minister, Erdoğan might have thought the possible political costs of that for himself, especially regarding the subsequent general elections. As Gül could be elected again and he would be the natural leader to keep the party together after Erdoğan, his absence might have dramatic consequences," the article reads.
"It is possible that common ground might be found between Erdoğan and Gül. We will be able to understand that following Erdoğan’s final consultations with his party on May 9-11. Erdoğan is expected to go on a trip to Balkan countries on May 14-15. Then on May 15, Gül will go to China for his term’s last official trip abroad; he will return on May 21. Erdoğan will depart for another three-day European tour on either May 23 or 24. During one of the days between the two trips, the two will find time in Turkey to sit and talk about their common future, as the presidential election process starts in June," the author concludes.
