CABINET HOLDS POST-ELECTION MEETING
The Cabinet yesterday convened in the wake of Sunday's general elections. During the meeting, the election process was discussed in detail, while all of the assembled ministers briefed the gathering on their work on this. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated them all for their hard work. Speaking afterwards, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said that in Sunday's elections, the nation showed that they see politics as the exclusive province of political actors. "In the Constitution, the authority and responsibilities of all individuals and institutions are determined," said Sahin. "In Turkey, politicians practice politics, and they should. Our nation always reacts against interventions in politics. This was seen in this Sunday's elections." He further stated that turnout in the elections was high, and had strengthened Turkish democracy. /Sabah/
TOP AKP BOARD REFLECTS ON PARTY'S VICTORY
The ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Central Decision and Executive Board, chaired by Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, convened yesterday. During the three-hour meeting, top AKP officials discussed their victory in Sunday's general election. Erdogan reportedly said that his party's positive policy approach had won over voters. Stressing that Turks don't want to see more tension in the country, the premier signaled that the AKP would follow a compromising stance during the upcoming presidential election in Parliament. He also urged all AKP provincial organizations to work hard for the local elections to be held one-and-a-half years from now. "The AKP won't stop, but will continue to work to serve the people," added Erdogan. Speaking to reporters after the gathering, AKP Deputy Chairwoman Edibe Sozen said that Sunday's elections showed that her party was the hope of the nation. /Milliyet/
ARINC: "OUR NEXT PRESIDENT WILL BE ELECTED BY THE NEW PARLIAMENT"
Appearing on television yesterday, Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc said that he believed Turkey's next president would be elected by the Parliament to be formed by the new government, adding that the possibility this would not happen was very slim. "I believe that Parliament should elect the new president first thing," said Arinc. Stressing that he supported Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul for president as he was an ideal candidate, Arinc added that the decision was up to Gul. An opposition boycott over the foreign minister's candidacy last May triggered Sunday's early general elections. /Aksam/
BAYKAL: "I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT GIVING UP THE CHP HELM"
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in the wake of Sunday's election, where his party again fared a distant second, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal said that the election wasn't a failure for the CHP, but it was not as expected either. He pointed to a rise in the CHP's share of the vote, though by a small margin. Baykal stated that the nation's will was important for the CHP, adding that he respected the election outcome. He further stressed that the CHP has a significant mission and that he would evaluate the results with his deputies. Saying that he wasn't considering quitting his post as CHP leader, Baykal said that the opposition to him was beneath notice. But Baykal's main rival within the party, Istanbul's Sisli district Mayor Mustafa Sarigul, held a meeting in Ankara to discuss the future of the party with a number of former CHP officials, including Hikmet Cetin, Onur Kumbaracibasi, Adnan Keskin, Mehmet Mogultay, and Celal Dogan. /Cumhuriyet/
WILL HE RUN AGAIN OR NOT? GUL TO SAY AT PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will hold a noon press conference today to evaluate Sunday's elections and the upcoming presidential election. Gul, whose aborted candidacy under the AKP banner triggered Sunday's early elections, is expected to announce whether he will again run for president. /Milliyet/
NEW PARLIAMENT TO CONVENE FOR FIRST TIME UNDER CHP'S ELEKDAG
The new Parliament is expected to convene at 3:00 pm on the fifth day after the Supreme Board of Elections' (YSK) announcement of the official results of Sunday's general elections. This gathering will be chaired by Sukru Elekdag, the oldest deputy in Parliament, from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The YSK is reportedly set to announce the results tomorrow. /Turkiye/
BRYZA: "WE DIDN'T KEEP OUR PROMISES TO TURKEY ON NORTHERN IRAQ AND FIGHTING THE PKK, BUT WE SHOULD"
Speaking yesterday to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza said that Washington had not kept its promises to Turkey concerning northern Iraq and the fight against terrorist PKK, but that it should do so. Saying that Washington's stance against the PKK has changed, Bryza stated that steps would soon be taken. Also commenting on Sunday's elections, Bryza said that the wide victory margin of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was no surprise. /Aksam/
SUPREME MILITARY COUNCIL TO CONVENE ON AUG. 1-4
The Supreme Military Council (YAS) is set to convene on Aug. 1-4 to discuss the promotion and retirement of top military personnel and other developments. Decisions made at the gathering will be announced following the approval of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. /Turkiye/
US' MCCORMACK: "WE'RE WORKING IN HARMONY WITH TURKEY"
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said yesterday that his administration had very good contact with the Turkish government. Commenting on Sunday's elections, the spokesman said that they had good coordination with Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government, adding that they believed in Turkey's secular democracy and its further development. /Turkiye/