Turkey's new President to be a transition figure

PanARMENIAN.Net - "My decision is leaning towards ignoring the signals in the general populace… I cannot say that I will not be a candidate. Democracy must be the compass that we all depend on. Who it is that can represent the Turks at home and abroad. This is what should be discussed.....It is well known how the subject of the presidency is talked about in city squares and streets," Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said arguing that the election results indicate that Sezer's attitude was not welcomed by the nation.



Meanwhile the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Democratic Society Party (DTP) did not specify their position on the presidential elections. Cihan Pacaci, MHP's deputy leader, said it is too early to discuss the issue, Hurriyet reports.



For his part, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA Academy of Sciences Ruben Safrastyan said the AKP will seek for a compromise candidacy for the forthcoming presidential elections. "Given the division of seats in the parliament, the AKP will not be able to take sole decisions and will have to form a coalition. AKP's 46,7% is not a sufficient majority to announce a presidential candidacy," he said.



The new parliament is to elect the President during 40 days, although a referendum on amendments, which suppose election of the President by nation and not by the parliament, is scheduled for autumn. Consequently, the elected President will most likely be a transition figure.