ISTANBUL: Former Turkish president Abdullah Gul has ruled out running for the presidency in the country’s June 24 snap elections, saying that there was a negative atmosphere.
Gul told reporters in Istanbul that his name had been raised by a small party without his consent and that he had considered running only if he would be the candidate of a wide movement — something that has not materialised.
“I have said that I and my friends would not shy away from doing our part in case there is a very wide consensus. It was seen that such a wide consensus and will do not exist,” he said.
“Therefore, there is no longer a process regarding my candidacy.”
The former president is a founder of the Justice and Development Party (AKP). The ruling party is headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been at the helm of Turkey since 2003.
Gul’s name often comes up in circles critical of Erdogan as a potential rival.
In his remarks to the press, Gul warned on an atmosphere of “polarisation” and “fear,” while noting there were growing concerns about the economy.
“Turkey unfortunately does not have a positive agenda,” he said.
Speculation about a run for office has grown in recent weeks as Gul — who was prime minister, foreign minister and finally president from 2007 until 2014 — reportedly held a number of political meetings. On Saturday, Gul gave a statement for a little more than 10 minutes and then refused to take questions.
There have been reports in the daily newspaper Hurriyet and other Turkish media about pressure on Gul and his inner circle not to run.
The divided opposition has not agreed on a candidate for the first round, and it remains unclear who the main opposition bloc will run as a candidate against Erdogan. — Reuters
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