Now that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has sealed a strong victory in the March 30 local elections, attention will now turn to the Aug. 10 election to choose the president of the country by public vote for the first time.
“In view of local elections being completed, and with the next election coming in August to determine the country’s next president, it is time to talk about [whom the AKP will select as its candidate],” Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on April 3. “Once the local election results are officially announced [by the Supreme Election Board, YSK] in late April or early May, we will sit down to talk about all that needs to be clarified [with the prime minister] and will decide accordingly.”
