ANKARA
The main opposition Republican People's Party and Nationalist Movement Party will submit Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu's name to parliament speaker's office as their joint presidential nominee on Sunday, June 29, according to main opposition's chair, Akif Hamzecebi.
The 71-year-old Ihsanoglu retired last year as secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) - a collective body that promotes the interests of 57 member states. Under his leadership since his election in 2005, the organization became more involved in humanitarian, social and economic issues. He is an author and diplomat who was born in Cairo to Turkish parents.
Ihsanoglu needs 20 MPs to support his candidacy before he can officially stand for the election scheduled for August 10.
The vote will be the first time that Turkey's president is elected by direct popular vote.
A candidate needs more than 50 percent of the popular vote to be elected in the first round. If none of the three expected candidates receives the required percentage, a second round on August 24 will take place between the two candidates who received the most votes.
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