ANKARA - "I will cast a blank vote in the first round of the presidential election (to be held at the parliament later on Monday)," independent MP (and a former PM) Mesut Yilmaz said.
"I don't favor any of the (three) candidates. However I hope that coming days will bring hope to our nation whoever is elected," Yilmaz told reporters after his meeting with Abdullah Gul, a presidential candidate from the ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party.
"Unfortunately Turkey is heading towards a dangerous social decomposition. Both the president and the government have to assume important duties to overcome it. I have no prejudices about Mr. Gul. I will join the vote, but cast a blank vote." he noted.
Yilmaz said, "Mr. Gul told me that he is sincere about the messages he gave to the public. He says that he will be a president who will wipe out concerns, ensure social unity and embrace every one. If he acts as a president who is committed to constitutional principles by taking into consideration the sensitivities (of the public), this can constitute a chance to avoid the decomposition."
Stating that he does not think that Gul may be elected in the first round, Yilmaz said, "I think that the new President would be elected on August 28th. And there will be an oath taking ceremony at the parliament the same day, and the hand-over ceremony will be made the following day."
-POSSIBLE UNIFICATION IN CENTRAL RIGHT WING-
"We have to see the performance of the AK Party first," Yilmaz also said when asked whether he will take initiatives to reunify the central right.
Yilmaz added, "we have to give AK Party some time. If AK Party uses its chance well, it may block such a (central right) formation."