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Turkey votes again on president Turkish vote again inconclusive
(about 1 hour later)
Turkish MPs have begun a second round of voting to elect a president, with a two-thirds majority needed to win. The candidate of Turkey's ruling party, Abdullah Gul, has failed to win the presidency in a second round of voting.
But while ruling party candidate Abdullah Gul is again expected to come first, it is thought he will only be elected in next week's third round. He fell short of a two-thirds majority of votes cast by MPs, but is expected to win in a third round next week, when only a simple majority is needed.
Mr Gul's candidacy has been highly controversial, sparking a political crisis that led to early elections.Mr Gul's candidacy has been highly controversial, sparking a political crisis that led to early elections.
But since his AK Party won those polls convincingly, correspondents say it has the authority to push its man through.But since his AK Party won those polls convincingly, correspondents say it has the authority to push its man through.
The country's military and secular establishment have voiced their opposition to Mr Gul, a devout Muslim whom they believe has an Islamist agenda.The country's military and secular establishment have voiced their opposition to Mr Gul, a devout Muslim whom they believe has an Islamist agenda.
Mr Gul, currently the foreign minister, denies that, and has vowed to remain loyal to the country's secular constitution if he is elected. Mr Gul, currently the foreign minister, denies that, and has vowed to remain loyal to the country's secular constitution.
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE President chosen by 550 MPsTwo-thirds majority (367) needed to win in first or second roundSimple majority (276) needed if the contest reaches later rounds Q&A: Presidency battle Profile: Abdullah Gul Mrs Gul's fashion makeoverPRESIDENTIAL VOTE President chosen by 550 MPsTwo-thirds majority (367) needed to win in first or second roundSimple majority (276) needed if the contest reaches later rounds Q&A: Presidency battle Profile: Abdullah Gul Mrs Gul's fashion makeover
The president is elected by parliament, where the AK Party has 340 of the 550 seats.The president is elected by parliament, where the AK Party has 340 of the 550 seats.
In the first round of voting on Monday, he secured 341 votes - falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to win outright. In the first round of voting on Monday, Mr Gul secured 341 votes - falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to win outright.
Friday's vote is expected to follow a similar pattern, with the other two candidates - Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the right-wing Nationalist Action Party, and Tayfun Icli from the centre-left Democratic Left Party - unlikely to challenge Mr Gul. The outcome of Friday's vote was similar, with the other two candidates - Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the right-wing Nationalist Action Party, and Tayfun Icli from the centre-left Democratic Left Party - failing to mount a serious challenge.
However, in a third round, a candidate needs only a simple majority to win - leading analysts to predict confidently that Mr Gul will be declared president next Tuesday, 28 August.However, in a third round, a candidate needs only a simple majority to win - leading analysts to predict confidently that Mr Gul will be declared president next Tuesday, 28 August.
Army watchingArmy watching
The foreign minister's candidacy in an earlier presidential vote in April prompted a boycott by the opposition, street protests and a warning from the military that it would not allow his election.The foreign minister's candidacy in an earlier presidential vote in April prompted a boycott by the opposition, street protests and a warning from the military that it would not allow his election.
The army has kept quiet this time, but there are still fears among secularists that by controlling the presidency as well as the government, the Islamist-rooted AKP will be able to push through reforms undermining the secular constitution.The army has kept quiet this time, but there are still fears among secularists that by controlling the presidency as well as the government, the Islamist-rooted AKP will be able to push through reforms undermining the secular constitution.
The military will be watching for his slightest slip, reports the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul. The military will be watching for his slightest slip, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul.
And there is already furious debate because Mr Gul's wife wears the Islamic headscarf.And there is already furious debate because Mr Gul's wife wears the Islamic headscarf.
It is seen by some as a symbol of political Islam and is banned in all state institutions, including the presidential palace.It is seen by some as a symbol of political Islam and is banned in all state institutions, including the presidential palace.