Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul vowed Tuesday to defend the country's secular traditions as he announced a fresh bid for the presidency despite deep-rooted opposition over his Islamist past. "Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state based on the rule of law," he told reporters after submitting his name to parliament.
"Protecting and strengthening these principles would be my first priority." "Everyone should rest assured that I would carry out my duty in full impartiality, embracing all citizens," said Gul whose first bid for the post earlier this year triggered a political crisis.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the conservative offshoot of a now-banned Islamist movement, holds a solid majority in parliament, which elects the president. That means it can easily secure Gul's election. Gul's nomination back in April prompted an opposition boycott of the vote as well as a warning from the powerful military that it stood ready to protect the Muslim country's secular system.