CHP seeks entirely symbolic president

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) officially introduced a proposed chapter of legislation to the Parliament’s Constitution Reconciliation Commission yesterday that outlines extreme reductions to the authority of the president, turning the position into an entirely symbolic post.

According to the CHP’s proposal, the president will be elected every seven years. It will be possible to run for the presidency by gaining the support of 110 lawmakers. Parliament will remain, with 550 seats in total, 100 of them being “Turkey lawmakers.” The CHP plans to lower the national 10 percent election threshold to 5 percent.

In addition to the National Security Council (MGK), which gathers the civilian and military leaders of the country, the State Audit Board (DDK) working under the presidential office will be eliminated. In case of a need for the functions of the MGK, a negotiating body will be established by law. The president’s authority in approving laws will be preserved, yet all other authority concerning execution will be annulled.
Parliamentary immunity will be preserved for speeches made at Parliament. Yet lawmakers will not be immune to crimes which are a legal barrier to being elected. In such cases, lawmaker immunity will be lifted and they will be tried by the Supreme Court of Appeals.