Deputy PM cites ‘presidential system’ as safety valve against autocracy

“At the moment, the system is powerful, not the nation. There are debates about autocracy, but anybody who wants dictatorship needs to uphold this system. Nobody with a good head on their shoulders would not like to change this system,” said Kurtulmuş on April 15, speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency. 

“When talking about the presidential system, we are not talking about an issue personally related to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Names who are currently political figures may not be around in 30 years,” he added.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has identified the point where the system in Turkey has been deadlocked, Kurtulmuş claimed, citing four particular fields that must be strengthened for the system to advance: Parliamentary deputies, parliament itself, the ruling administration, and civil society.

“Out of all of these changes, the presidential system is just one element from among all the elements,” Kurtulmuş said, describing the presidential system as the “main element” necessary to provide a “strengthened executive body.”