Republic Mustafa Kemal AtatÃ

Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç has commented on the amount of money spent on the construction of the controversial new presidential palace, otherwise known as "Ak Saray," admitting that the amount was “not small” and “could be discussed.”

The leaders of five political parties: the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), Democrat Party (DP) and Independent Turkey Party (BTP) met on July 2 and announced a joint declaration of support for Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu’s presidential candidacy.