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Erdogan declares his presidential candidacy

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as its candidate in the first presidential election by public vote.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan greets AK Party (AKP) members at a meeting where he is named as his party's candidate for the country's first direct presidential election in Ankara July 1, 2014. Tayyip Erdogan declared his candidacy on Tuesday for a more powerful presidency which rivals fear may entrench authoritarian rule and supporters, especially conservative Muslims, see as the crowning prize in his drive to reshape NATO member Turkey. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3WM8F

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be running for president, as expected, in the August election, the first presidential election by public vote. Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) kick-started the official campaign of Erdogan’s presidency on July 1 with a well-organized meeting in Ankara that had more than 4,000 invitees in attendance.

Despite the 2013 Gezi protests where people hit the streets expressing discontent with Erdogan’s governing style and where police disproportionate use of tear gas and water cannon, and despite his and his government’s name coming under a gigantic corruption and bribery scandal, Erdogan said he has never followed policies to divide or polarize people.

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