The New Anatolian, Turkey
Jan 30 2007

Arinc’s call for PM to stay on draws opposition backlash

The New Anatolian with Anka / Ankara
30 January 2007

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Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc’s surprise move calling upon the
premier to keep his post for another five years, allegedly to create
room for his own presidential candidacy this May, led to a strong
political backlash yesterday.

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy General
Secretary Mehmet Sevigen branded Arinc a showman with his heart set
on assuming the post of president.

Arinc said late on Sunday that Erdogan should keep his post for the
benefit of the country, but added that if he opts to run for
president, he would be supported.

The official election process will begin on April 16, and the premier
appears determined to remain silent over his possible candidacy until
then.

Several deputies, ruling out Arinc’s candidacy, described the
Parliament speaker as a dangerous figure cast in the same mold as the
premier. "I believe Turkey doesn’t want to jump out of the frying pan
into the fire," said CHP Kocaeli Deputy Izzet Cetin, branding Arinc a
man purely against Ataturk’s values.

Calling him a megalomaniac, Sevigen said Arinc has been making
individual plans while disregarding balances in his party. He also
said that it would not be surprising if Arinc came up with fresh
documents against Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A secular figure who has proved himself as a protector of the state’s
values should assume the post of president, said CHP Istanbul Deputy
Guldal Okuducu, citing Arinc’s suggestion last year to redefine
secularism. CHP deputy leader Cevdet Selvi also expressed agreement
with Okuducu’s views and said that any candidate from the ruling
Justice and Development (AK) Party will spark tension.

Comments from the ruling party officials, however, focused on the
nature of the post and the prospects of the party rather than Arinc’s
remarks.

Vahit Erdem of the ruling party defended Arinc by saying that he had
revealed his individual views. "This year has not been a good year
for domestic affairs so far," said Erdem, adding that tension is on
the rise due to complex and problematic international issues such as
Iraq, the Armenian genocide claims and the Cyprus deadlock.

International developments are running completely against Turkey
nowadays, said Erdem, adding that debate on the presidential election
should be avoided.

AK Party Ankara Deputy Ersonmez Yarbay touched on the limits of
presidential authority, which he said would not satisfy the premier.

"The president’s post is not an influential post today. Its authority
should be extended to satisfy Mr. Erdogan," said Yarbay. "A balance
regarding authority between the two posts should be sought to avoid
confrontation between the president and the prime minister," he
added.