Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he is contemplating picking up the issue of whether Turkey should adopt the presidential system in a referendum following the general elections of June 12.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV during a visit to London on March 31, Erdogan said he has been a supporter of the presidential system for years and that he can take a step to this effect in line with the approval of the public. When asked whether he will take the issue to a referendum, Erdogan replied: “It could be presented to a referendum. It is not possible to take the issue to a referendum straightaway. This matter is not on our election agenda, either. We can discus it following the general elections.”
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, which is expected to secure a third term in power alone following the general elections of June, wants to push ahead with the preparation of a new, civilian and pro-democratic Constitution. Erdogan, who is a supporter of the presidential system, frequently brings the issue to the public’s attention and many say he intends to become Turkey’s first president, Today’s Zaman reported.
