Turkey, Pro-islam candidate resigned

[Junk angel]

Apaprently, due to boycotts and massive demonstrations, the anti seculirity and pro-islamic presidential candite of Turkey resigned from votes.
The demonstration were most often attended by young turks

more info here

It would seem that the youth of turkey wishes for a secular state.

[masked_marsoe]

It's a good consolidation for secularism in Turkey. The strength and mass of the pro-secular demonstrators was incredible to watch.

[Afterburner]

So I'm confused here. Was this guy actually in the process of being elected President by the people or was it some sort of appointment? What I mean is were there public elections where anyone could vote or is the voting system corrupted?

[masked_marsoe]

In Turkey the President is elected by a 2/3rds majority of parliamentarians (367 deputies), not a popular vote.

There are two attempts at a 2/3rds majority, and if those fail, then it goes to a simple majority (276). If that fails, then parliament will be disolved, and a new general election held.

In the first round, Gul got 2/3rds of the votes cast, but only 361 deputies were in attendance, and the first roud was annulled by the courts.

Only 358 deputies turned up to the second round, and Gul withdrew.

[AlDaja]

Good for Turkey…the people have spoken; enough is enough.

[Relander]

Originally Posted by AlDaja

Good for Turkey…the people have spoken; enough is enough.

"The people" (secularists) in this case may not represent the will of the majority, it might be that the secular Turks just happen to get more visibility in the media.

The reason why the presidential election is so big issue for the Turks is due to position's great symbolic value. President of Turkey has a ceremonial role and its actually Prime Minister who leads the country, but a president enjoys high esteem amongst the Turks and it has always been regarded as secularist institute. Turning the presidential election into popular vote is a right step forward and victory for democracy even though it's likely that the Constitutional Court will shoot down the reform.

But which one does worry people more: people voting for pro-religious party or army interfering into civilian issues?