CHP’s İnce rejects to use presidential powers if elected

TRABZON

Muharrem İnce, the main opposition Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) presidential candidate, has vowed he will never use the presidential powers granted by the 2017 referendum on constitutional amendments in the event that he is elected as president. 

“There are vast powers given to the president. But I will not use them. I will be afraid to,” İnce said at an event with representatives of civil society organizations in the Black Sea province of Trabzon on May 11.

The presidential elections that will be held on June 24 will be critical for Turkey as the executive presidential system approved by the constitutional amendments will be fully in effect after the president gets elected.

But the main opposition party has objected to the constitutional amendments and said the sweeping powers granted to the president under the new system would harm democratic principles and the separation of powers between the judiciary, executive and legislative powers.

“For example, a single person decides on how to plan the budget of 81 million Turkish citizens. How could there be such a system?” İnce said.

“When I become president, I will not use the authority to plan the budget. I will do it with parliament, with 600 lawmakers,” he added.

“When I become president, God willing, I will work and ensure not to discriminate anyone,” said İnce.

Following his visit to Trabzon, İnce attended an election rally in Rize where he said he would focus on two main issues if elected.

“First, I will fight against terror wherever it comes from,” he said, listing the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

“There will be transparency, there will be a state of law. The judiciary will be independent,” said the CHP candidate.

İnce also responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has argued that the opposition only aims to “topple him.”

“I do not have such an aim. I do not have any problem with individuals. The only thing I want to topple is the [United States] dollar [its worth against the Turkish lira]. We want to decrease the euro and the dollar. We want to decrease interest rates and oil prices. When Erdoğan comes down [from his position], foreign exchange rates will come down,” he said.

Since disclosing his assets on May 10, İnce also stated he would disclose his wealth again in five years after he is elected.

“I promise you this—I will not get rich unless you get rich. You will get rich first,” he said.