2014 Scenarios

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) seems to be frustrated at the decision. But Gül seems happy about it. I don’t think there will be a rivalry between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Gül in the race for the presidency. The rivalry is going to take place on the issue of who will be the next prime minister. If Erdoğan is to be the next president, he will want someone he can lead and make obedient in the prime minister’s chair. In this way, Erdoğan will actually render his own presidential position more powerful. I am not talking about Gül or Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, whom Erdoğan will want to see in the prime ministry. I am talking about someone who can be easily influenced and led by Erdoğan.