Turkish Parliament Speaker Bülent Arinç said in May 2006 that he would consider running for the presidency, provided his party leader at the Justice and Development Party raised no objection. Speaking on the ATV television program "Teke Tek," he made clear that a word against his candidacy from party leadership would end the matter.
Arinç also addressed remarks he had delivered on 23 April, noting that his speech had covered 15 broad topics but that media attention focused narrowly on his comments about secularism, the headscarf, the National Security Policy Document, and the presidential election.
On secularism, Arinç said the concept has been embedded in Türkiye's constitution since 1937 and is a characteristic of the state itself rather than of individual citizens. He argued that Türkiye's approach to secularism should account for citizens' values, beliefs, and cultural traditions, and should not mirror the strict model practiced in France.
He also raised questions about the Religious Affairs Directorate, calling its existence debatable in a secular state and suggesting that its functions could instead be handled by private foundations. "People cannot be secular," he said, reiterating that secularism applies to the state alone.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.