Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will run for the Turkish presidency in the August poll, his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced Tuesday, according to dpa. "By mutual agreement, he is our candidate for the presidency," party deputy chief Ali Sahin said at a lavish event in the capital Ankara to some 4,000 cheering party members. The vote will be the first time Turkey directly elects a president, who is the head of the army and appoints the government. In the past, parliament has chosen who fills what has been a largely ceremonial role. Sahin said there was consensus within the party on Erdogan, who has been premier since 2003 and is banned by AKP rules on term limits from holding the post again.
