PM welcomes pro-referendum approach of MHP on presidential system

AFYONKARAHİSAR – Anadolu Agency

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Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has delivered his appreciation of the pro-referendum stance taken by the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on the issue of switching to presidential system, as his party is preparing to submit a draft charter to the parliament, which will be highlighted by the proposal of the system shift.

Speaking during his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) three-day annual consultation meeting in the central province of Afyonkararhisar, Yıldırım said the stance of the MHP that defends the people to “have thee last say” on the issue of presidential system was “laudable.”

“MHP may be against the presidential system, it may be supporting the continuation of the parliamentary system but it has showed an incredibly important, incredibly national approach by letting people have the last say,” said Yıldırım.

AKP’s meeting started on Oct. 21 and will last until Oct. 23., a three-day period during which the party members will discuss topics such as a constitutional draft that will include a presidential system, the post-coup attempt purge and operations currently being conducted in Iraq and Syria.

Yıldırım has formed a team of deputies and ministers to work on the charter amendment. The team has informed the AKP about the process and details. After the consultation camp, the charter will be introduced to two of the opposition parties in parliament, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as the AKP has refused to work with the third biggest party in parliament, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).