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Did Erdogan undermine Gul?

Turks question why President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it would be good for former President Abdullah Gul to run for parliament.
Turkey's new President Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L) and outgoing President Abdullah Gul (R), attend a handover ceremony at the Presidential Palace of Cankaya in Ankara August 28, 2014. Erdogan was sworn in as Turkey's 12th president at a ceremony in parliament on Thursday, cementing his position as the country's most powerful modern leader, in what his opponents fear will herald an increasingly authoritarian rule. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR444TR

Ever since he was outmaneuvered and distanced from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) before the 2014 presidential elections by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan — who subsequently was elected president — many have been wondering what the future holds for former President Abdullah Gul.

Gul is back in the limelight with much speculation surrounding the possibility that he may run as a candidate from the AKP in the general elections June 7. Sources close to Gul have been quoted as saying he will not run but this has done little to stop the rumor mill from churning.

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