An advice to PM Erdogan on Unakitan case: ‘Premier must be a butcher'

The political spotlight in Turkey seems to be swinging onto next year's presidential elections. In Turkey the Parliament, rather than a popular vote, elects the president. According to ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party officials, the prospect of presidential polls will not lead to early general elections, so when the time comes (April 2007), the existing Parliament will elect Turkey's next president. According to the same sources, for now the only eligible candidate for the post is Prime Minister and AK Party leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

But according to the political opposition, this is just a dream. Turkey's unique conditions will never allow the ruling AK Party to reach such a goal.

So to discuss all these controversial issues, we knocked once again on the door of senior statesmen Suleyman Demirel. As a veteran politician, five-time prime minister, banned politician and, from 1993 to 2000, Turkey's ninth president, Demirel had a great many things to say. Here's what he said in TNA's exclusive interview.

Read the interview on The New Anatolian

See also:

• Govt wrecks health sector (The New Anatolian)
• Erdogan: We are trying to improve conditions in education, health, justice and security (Dünya)