Turkish PM Davutoğlu expresses support for presidential system

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

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Turkey’s parliamentary system must be changed to a presidential system, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has said, in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s persistent remarks on the issue in recent months.

“A presidential system is the right thing for Turkey,” Davutoğlu said late on March 27 in an interview with broadcaster Habertürk, the first time he has clearly come out in favor of the change.

He also denied media reports that he and Erdoğan are at odds over the idea.

“The current system in Turkey is neither parliamentary, nor presidential, nor half-presidential,” Davutoğlu said, adding that it must become either a clear parliamentary system or a clear presidential one, so that “whoever has power can be held accountable.”

“Because an evolution toward the presidential system is essential, this issue will also be featured in our election manifesto,” he added. 

“I have personally written how the presidential system will feature in our election manifesto,” he also said.

Turkey will vote in a parliamentary election on June 7, in polls seen as a test for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for a possible future change in constitution in favor of a presidential system.