BAHCELI: "THE MHP WILL BE PRESENT WHEN PARLIAMENT ELECTS A NEW PRESIDENT"
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said yesterday that his group would be present for upcoming balloting in Parliament to elect a new president. He said that they had no interest in who the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) picks as a candidate, adding that this is the AKP's concern. "We can't back their candidate, and actually they don't need our support," said Bahceli. "If they fail to elect their candidate in the first and second rounds, they will elect the president in the third round, which only needs the votes of 276 deputies." In related news, the MHP's declaration that it would be present for the voting was welcomed by the AKP, which won 340 seats in Parliament in Sunday's general elections. The AKP needs at least 27 more deputies present in the General Assembly during the first and second round in order to meet the constitutional quorum of 367. /Milliyet/

NO DSP BACKING FOR POSSIBLE GUL PRESIDENCY
Democratic Leftist Party (DSP) leader Zeki Sezer said yesterday that his party would not support Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's possible presidential candidacy. Commenting on the upcoming presidential election, Sezer told reporters that most of the public should welcome the president being elected and that they would continue to urge the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to pick a candidate who can "normalize" politics. "We won't back Gul's candidacy, as his move (towards a possible run) has raised public tension," said Sezer, urging Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan to act in line with his post-election pledge to seek compromise over the next president. Asked when the 13 DSP deputies who ran under the Republican People's Party (CHP) umbrella in Sunday's elections will part from the CHP, Sezer said that this was not important, adding that the move could follow Parliament's upcoming oath of office ceremony. /Cumhuriyet/

BAYKAL URGES ERDOGAN TO KEEP PLEDGE OF "CONCILIATION" IN CHOOSING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Commenting yesterday on Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's hint that he may again seek the presidency, main opposition Republican People Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal cited Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent pledge that the ruling party's candidate would be chosen using conciliation. Stressing that carrying forward the tensions of the old government would be a bad way to start the new Parliament, Baykal stated that both the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Turkey would benefit from conciliation on the issue. "I hope the prime minister won't make the same mistake of imposing his presidential candidate on the opposition," added Baykal. A CHP-led boycott of May's presidential election, protesting Gul's candidacy, led to last Sunday's general elections. /Hurriyet/

FRESHMAN MHP DEPUTY DIES IN CAR CRASH
Professor Mehmet Cihat Ozonder, who won a seat in Parliament under the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in last Sunday's general elections, has lost his life in a fatal car accident. Ozonder was on his way to Ankara's Esenboga Airport, set to fly to Istanbul and get his official deputy certification from the Supreme Board of Elections (YSK). In the accident, apparently caused by speeding and reckless driving, three people were injured while the new MHP deputy for Istanbul's third electoral district was killed. Following the accident, the MHP asked the YSK to name Mehmet Taytak, who placed fourth in Istanbul's third electoral district, to step into the vacant seat. YSK head Muammer Aydin said the incident was unprecedented, adding that the board would decide on the MHP's request today. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul telephoned MHP leader Devlet Bahceli to express his condolences for the late deputy. /All papers/

FOUR IN RUNNING TO REPLACE AGAR AT DP HELM
The Democrat Party (DP) is seeking a new leader following the resignation of Mehmet Agar after Sunday's general elections, where the party failed to meet the 10% parliamentary threshold. Among the possible contenders for the post are former True Path Party (DYP) leader Tansu Ciller, Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarciklioglu, former diplomat Mehmet Ali Bayar, and former State Minister Gokberk Ergenekon. /Turkish Daily News/