ANKARA - These are some of the major headlines and their summaries in Turkish press on May 7th, 2007. The Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
HURRIYET (LIBERAL)
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367 (QUORUM) CANNOT BE REACHED, GUL WITHDRAWS
No result was achieved in the first round of presidential vote re-held at the parliament on Sunday. Presidential election could not be held as there were not 367 MPs (the required number of parliamentarians who have to be present at the parliament during the first round of presidential vote). "Vain rounds harm parliament`s esteem", Turkish FM and Deputy PM Abdullah Gul, who was the only candidate for president, said and withdrew from candidacy.
CHP-DSP ALLIANCE MESSAGE AT IZMIR DEMONSTRATION
Talks continue between Republican People`s Party (CHP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) for an alliance after millions of people, who joined demonstrations in Ankara, Istanbul and Aegean region, called on the two parties to "unite and protect the Republic". In case any progress is made in talks, CHP chairman Deniz Baykal and DSP chairman Zeki Sezer are expected to give a message in a demonstration to be staged in Izmir on May 13th saying, "we have united. Now, you make the left the frontrunner (in the elections)."
MEVLANA SYMPOSIUM TO BEGIN ON TUESDAY
An international symposium will be held in Istanbul and (central Anatolian city of) Konya between May 8th and 12th within the framework of the activities to mark the 800th anniversary of birth of Mevlana Jalal ud-din Rumi. The opening ceremony will take place at AKM (culture center in Istanbul) at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. 100 foreign and 63 Turkish researchers and academicians will participate in the symposium.
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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NEW OBSTACLE ON EU ROAD: SARKOZY
French president-elect Nicholas Sarkozy`s remark that the EU membership negotiations with Turkey would end seemed like a messenger of an era of crisis. Sarkozy received 53 percent of votes in the elections, leaving behind his competitor Segolene Royal. The election of Sarkozy came as an important development for Turkey as he clearly underlined that he would end membership talks with Turkey.
GUL WITHDRAWS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul withdrew from presidential election after the parliament was unable to proceed with the voting due to the absence of a two-thirds quorum in the General Assembly. Meanwhile, some jurists underlined that elections may be held even earlier than July 22nd, with election board authority saying that it would assess the matter.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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OPEN ENDED ALLIANCE WITH ASSURANCE OF UNION
After the True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) united and pressure came from thousands of demonstrators in rallies throughout Turkey, a new hope came up in regard to unification of the Republican People`s Party (CHP) with Democratic Left Party (DSP). In a meeting of CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal and DSP Chairman Zeki Sezer, both parties agreed to establish an alliance in the upcoming national elections. Accordingly, DSP candidates will participate in elections on CHP`s lists.
GUL WITHDRAWS HIS NAME FROM PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY
The Turkish Parliament held a round of voting for the presidency on Sunday. The required quorum (presence of 367 MPs) could not be reached in the parliament session in which the first round of vote for president was to take place. Gul withdrew his name from the presidential candidacy.
VATAN (INDEPENDENT)
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VOTE OF SQUARES
According to a survey carried out by Estima, the survey company of Vatan daily, more than half of those who joined the demonstrations are supporters of Republican People`s Party (CHP). The survey was carried out among those who participated in Saturday`s demonstration in Aegean city of Manisa. According to the survey, 61.8 percent of the participants voted for CHP in November 3 general elections (in 2002).
IRONY OF POLITICS
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who was seen as the new president of Turkey 13 days ago, announced Sunday that he withdrew from candidacy. The parliament convened again on Sunday to elect the new president after the decision of the Constitution Court (which annulled the first round of vote for the president). Before the vote, Gul said, "I will withdraw from candidacy if we cannot reach 367 (the number of MPs required to be present at the parliament during the vote for president). The quorum could not be reached, and Gul had a short meeting with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the party administration. After the meeting, Gul announced that he withdrew from candidacy.
ERDOGAN: IT SEEMS THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE BALLOT BOX
The constitutional amendment on election of president by popular vote does not seem likely at the moment. PM Erdogan said, "it seems that there will be only one ballot box" when reminded his remarks that "they will put two ballot boxes before the nation". Erdogan noted that the parliament will continue to work until a new one is formed.
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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DISCUSSION ON ELECTION DATE
The Turkish parliament held the first round of voting for president on Sunday. However, the quorum (presence of 367 MPs) was not reached. The only presidential candidate Abdullah Gul withdrew his name from the candidacy. Most legal experts say that elections must be held immediately.
NEW ENERGY CENTER: GULF
Most scientists believe that the Gulf of Iskenderun in eastern Mediterranean will be the center of energy from which oil and natural gas will be shipped to global markets in the next 100 years.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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FIRST STEP TO UNITY IN LEFT
Hopes were set high for a unity in left after the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP) Chairman Deniz Baykal and Democratic Left Party (DSP) Chairman Zeki Sezer met late Sunday. As the first step, DSP will join the elections under the umbrella of CHP and the two parties will eventually unite.
GUL: "NATION WILL SAY THE WORD"
As the ruling Justice and Development Party was unable to secure a two-thirds quorum in the parliament, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul dropped his presidential bid. "There is no need for additional voting rounds," Gul told a press conference. "The parliament is locked up. Nation will say the word now," he added.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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BALLOT BOX TO SAY THE WORD
A renewed first tour of the presidential vote at the parliament was unable to yield result yesterday after the Constitutional Court ruled that a two-thirds quorum was a requirement to start the voting process. The General Assembly was unable to proceed to the voting as it lacked the quorum of 367 lawmakers. Gul said he quit the presidential race as Turkey focused on the general elections.
"OUR DOOR IS OPEN TO ANYONE," AGAR SAYS
After the True Path Party (DYP) and Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) agreed to unite under one political party, DYP Chairman Mehmet Agar said that they were ready to accept any support for "the new movement." "We would welcome anyone willing to support this new movement, either institutional or individual," Agar said. Meanwhile unity in the right made parties of left to move to come together to seek chances of alliance. The main opposition Republican People`s Party Chairman (CHP) Deniz Baykal and Democratic Left Party (DSP) Chairman Zeki Sezer held a meeting to discuss terms of unity between the two parties.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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CHP DEMANDS ELECTION EARLIER THAN JULY 22ND
Citing difficulties in summer for voters, the Republican People`s Party (CHP) demanded that the general elections be held earlier than July 22nd. CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Topuz stressed that the election process for the new president is over at the parliament. "As such, Turkey must hold elections in the shortest time possible," noted Topuz.
A HOT WEEK COMING UP, STAY AWAY FROM SUN
Temperatures throughout Turkey will rise this week. Health experts are warning all, especially patients with high blood pressure problems, to stay away from sun. The temperature in Ankara on Monday will be 31 Celsius degrees.
YENI SAFAK (CONSERVATIVE)
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PRESIDENCY USURPED
FM Abdullah Gul`s deserved presidency was obstructed by a (different) interpretation of 367 quorum, which will be discussed for years. After (Republican People`s Party chairman) Deniz Baykal`s "clash" threat and the support extended by Mumcu-Agar (Motherland and True Path Party) alliance to CHP`s court initiative, the presidential election process has been relegated to the pages of democratic history as a black stain. In 1989, Turgut Ozal won 263 of 285 MPs in the third round despite Baykal`s boycott. There were 450 MPs at the parliament in those years. Thus, Ozal was elected the eighth president of Turkey. In 1993, Suleyman Demirel could win only 244 votes of 450 MPs in the third round. However, Demirel was elected the ninth president of Turkey. Ahmet Necdet Sezer could be elected the president again in the third round "despite a compromise" at the parliament which comprised of 550 MPs in 1999. Sezer won 330 votes, and became the tenth president of Turkey. Today, Gul ran for presidential election under the Article 102 of the 1982 Constitution, and won 358 votes in the first round, by overtaking the earlier-elected three presidents. However, his presidency was hampered by an interpretation of 367 quorum.
WE CONTINUE WITH 5+5
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that talks on a constitutional amendment on election of the president by popular vote for five years will continue. "The parliament is working. It is a disrespect to say the parliament should be considered dissolved," he stated.
AND YILMAZ ON STAGE
Former Motherland Party (ANAVATAN) chairman Mesut Yilmaz has been back on the stage in DYP-ANAVATAN (True Path Party-Motherland) alliance. Yilmaz said, "I wanted this unification", and is expected to run his candidacy for parliamentary elections from Agar`s list.