Erdoğan remains at the heart of this dynamic, and any perspective clashing with the aforementioned vision is bound to alienate supporters over the longer run. Elite change, which would prevent such developments, represents the greatest insurance policy for the AK Party.

Erdoğan's victory on Aug. 10, despite serious attempts to undermine his administration, marks the beginning of a new era in Turkish politics.

Erdoğan's timely, direct and proactive moves reduced the time span of Turkey's normalization and democratization, and promoted economic stability.

The Gülenist parallel state began to operate with help from affiliated members of law enforcement, public prosecutors and judges, the covert organization gained access to all levels of government.

There are three presidential candidates, but actually only two of them are running and the other one keeps saying that "he will not be involved in politics."

Erdogan will run in Turkey’s first direct presidential elections next month, but will he really unite the state and its people?

Having agreed to nominate Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as their joint candidate, the opposition parties have successfully taken a first step. We will have ample time to analyze whether or not he can live up to the expectations over the coming weeks.

Keeping all above-mentioned scenarios in mind, the only certain thing about the upcoming presidential election is that the main opposition CHP's decision to endorse a candidate with no ideological affinity to the party organization will result in a prolonged controversy.

Reviewing and questioning policies is a level that can improve Turkey's democracy. It could even prompt reactions and expectations from pro-government groups.

That Turkey was going to face a tripartite campaign race during 2014-2015 has been known since the Constitutional Court ruling on the amendments to the electoral laws in 2012.

If Erdoğan is nominated and becomes president, in his capacity as the popularly elected president, he will continue to work with the government he has spearheaded.

AKP will retain power in Turkey only if it consolidates its party institutions and expands its constituency.

In addition to having the power to influence the other elections, the president-elect who emerges from the presidential election, as the first president to have been elected by popular vote, will have to be a “different kind of president.”

Ever since the general elections of June 12, 2011, even without knowing how exactly events would unfold, it was not difficult to see that 2014 stood to become a very difficult political long year.

The Gülen movement is trying to sell its version of a snapshot of Turkish politics alongside the Kemalists. Those who are willing to take up the role of the “native informant” certainly find a number of venues in which to perform in Washington D.C.

As PM Erdoğan emerged as a front runner in the upcoming presidential race in August 2014, opposition parties continue to resist any meaningful debate about the country's political system.

Turkey must complete its reconciliation process with the Kurds, reinforce local administrations and initiate further democratization initiatives.