Photo Gallerys Abdullah Gül, Turkey's New President
Confidence in the last round: Because only a simple majority was required, Abdullah Gül was virtually assured a victory on Tuesday.
The prime minister and his foreign minister: Tayyip Erdogan and Abdullah Gül sit on the government bank in parliament.
Casting his ballot: Abdullah Gül walks to the urn during the first round of the presidential election on August 20.
Gül's first attempt to run for the presidency failed in spring because the opposition boycotted the vote. The results were ultimately annulled by Turkey's highest court.
Fear of creeping Islamization: Despite the fact the Gül has repeatedly stated he wants to preserve the strict separation of state and religion, Turkey's secular elite harbor deep distrust for him.
A dyed in the wool follower: In 2002, Gül temporarily served as prime minister after elections. Erdogan was unable to take to office because he had been prosecuted for inciting "religious hatred." He was only able to assume office after Gül pushed through an amendment to the constitution that would allow Erdogan to become prime minister.
First candidacy triggers a national crisis: In April, tens of thousands of opponents took to the streets to protest against Gül, who is oriented towards political Islam.
Hijab politics: New Turkish first lady Hayrunisa Gül only appears in public in a headscarf, despite the fact that it is banned in public buildings.
The new president: 56-year-old Gül is considered a domestic policy reformer as well as the architect of Ankara's European Union ambitions.
