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Turkish vote again inconclusive | Turkish vote again inconclusive |
(10 minutes later) | |
The candidate of Turkey's ruling party, Abdullah Gul, has failed to win the presidency in a second round of voting. | The candidate of Turkey's ruling party, Abdullah Gul, has failed to win the presidency in a second round of voting. |
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. | 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. | 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 makeover | 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 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 vote Mr Gul secured 337 votes - falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to win outright. In the first round on Monday he got 341 votes. | |
The other two candidates - Sabahattin Cakmakoglu from the right-wing Nationalist Action Party, and Tayfun Icli from the centre-left Democratic Left Party - failed to mount a serious challenge. | |
In the 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 watching | Army 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, says 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. |