Gül Denies Claims He Will Set Up New Party

Turkey's 11th president, Abdullah Gül, has denied claims that he is planning to establish a new party after having handed his post to current President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in late August.

“From time to time there are some words about [the establishment of] a new party. This is not genuine and not true,” Gül said during a visit to the city of Kayseri, his home town, on Friday.

While in Kayseri, former President Gül visited Mayor Mehmet Özhaseki and responded to questions from the press.

Evaluating his seven years in office, Gül expressed his pleasure at handing over the presidential post to Erdoğan, saying he believes that Erdoğan will carry what he called “the flag” much further.

When asked to comment on whether he is planning to return to politics, and if so whether his return would be to the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which he co-founded, Gül dismissed the idea, adding: “I will always be helping my friends. I will be helping and supporting our government, our president to be much better and more successful. I am always proud of my friends and wish them success.” Gül also praised Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, saying he will be helping and supporting him as well.

Extending his thanks to the people of Kayseri, Gül said: “Whatever I experienced in representing this great nation I have done with the support of this city and its people. In this visit I wanted to pay back my debt to my fellow countrymen. I came here to thank them.”

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)