ISLAMABAD: The presidential nomination of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has received media coverage across the world.
The New York Times daily headlned its article with "Erdogan, Survivor of Protests and Inquiries, to Seek Presidency in Turkey."
"In power now for more than a decade and already considered to be the most consequential political leader here since modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, capturing the presidency could allow Erdogan, 60, eventually to surpass even Ataturk's legacy," wrote the daily, Anadolu News Agency Reported.
The daily, the Wall Street Journal, called Erdogan's presidential bid "the worst-kept political secret," adding that he would most probably win the upcoming elections as he has "an enviable track record at the ballot box."
"He will run in the country's first direct presidential election next month in a move designed to expand his vast powers and allow him to govern for another decade," wrote WSJ.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) covered his candidacy for the 10 August presidential election, saying: "Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will run for Turkish president in the first direct election in August, his governing AK Party has confirmed."
The corporation also stressed that Erdogan had been the ruling AK Party's government leader since 2003.
UK-based international newspaper The Financial Times announced Erdogan's candidacy as breaking news.
"Turkey's prime minister will run in his country's first direct presidential elections, a move his critics say will lead to greater authoritarianism, but which his supporters argue will enfranchise ordinary people".
Erdogan's nomination received wide media coverage in Germany - home to three million Turkish immigrants.
"Erdogan cannot run for a new term for the Premiership, now he eyes for the highest office the Presidency," said Germany's largest mass-circulation daily Bild on its webpage.
"Through the presidency, Erdogan can continue to define the country's future for five years," it commented.
The daily underlined that presidency in Turkey had largely been a ceremonial post, but Erdogan is likely to use exclusive presidential powers, such as heading cabinet meetings, once elected.
Bild underlined that while criticized by the opposition for his "authoritarian style", Erdogan continued to enjoy strong backing among his supporters.
His AK Party remains the strongest political force in Turkey, following its landslide victory in local elections in March, it noted.
Germany's influential weekly Der Spiegel portrayed Erdogan as the most likely winner of the coming presidential race.
According to a survey by the Genar Institute, Erdogan could win the election in the first round, Der Spiegel commented on its webpage.
Erdogan's main rival, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, is considered to be less charismatic, it noted, adding that only 35.8 percent of the electorate is expected to support him.
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