As Gül disappears into the mist?

It?s a matter of preference whether one describes former president Abdullah Gül as walking into the sunset or disappearing into the mist. He has spelled out that he has no political plans for the future; In other words, he will not run in the June elections.

This also puts an end to his political career, for now.

Whether he chose in earnest to distance himself from politics, or was marginalized by his fellow traveler President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an is open to debate. According to one argument, Erdo?an outmaneuvered him during last year?s presidential elections.

It was Gül?s choice not to contest those elections, but many expected him to be rewarded for leaving Erdo?an?s path to the presidency clear. It was thought the environment would be prepared for Gül to eventually become the leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), a party that he co-founded with Erdo?an.

But Erdo?an prevented this after being elected president. He got the party to hold its congress to elect the new leader before Gül officially gave up the presidency. Gül could not attend because he was still the president.

That was a clear sign Erdo?an did not want Gül near the party, let alone at its helm. He chose former foreign minister Ahmet Davuto?lu instead, who appears to be serving Erdo?an well. Gül and Erdo?an, on the other hand, have not seen eye-to-eye on a number of key issues, not the least of which is turning Turkey into a presidential system.

Gül has made it clear that we should improve our long-standing parliamentary system rather than toying with new ideas like a presidential system. He has not discounted a presidential system, though, saying it is a possibility provided democratic principles are protected. 

He...