PM regards Bahçeli’s words as support for presidential bid

ANKARA

DHA photo

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (MHP) interprets recent statements by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli on a presidential system as “support” in a potential parliamentary vote on constitutional amendments, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said.

“We interpret [Bahçeli’s comments] as meaning the [MHP] will contribute to the [constitutional] bid in the parliament,” Yıldırım told reporters on Oct. 25.

Yıldırım’s comments came after Bahçeli said on Oct. 25 that his party would decide its vote on a constitutional amendment featuring presidential changes after the ruling party submits a draft to parliament.

Yıldırım stated that he approved of Bahçeli’s proposal on taking measures to legalize the de facto situation.

“Bahçeli has been stating that since the beginning. This is a crisis and this problem should not occupy Turkey’s agenda any longer. We should bring this problem to which we were unable to find a solution, to the public vote in order to open a way for a solution,” he said.

“Either we solve it or, if not, we should not stand in the way of asking it to the public,” he added.

Answering a question concerning the possibility that the MHP might vote against the constitutional amendment, Yıldırım said they were motivated to bring the constitutional bid to parliament in all cases.

“Our duty … is to submit the constitution once we prepare it. Afterward, it is the duty of the exalted parliament. We will give justification to every amendment and bring the draft to the parliament,” he said, adding that Bahçeli’s comments were encouraging so far.

“The statements that Mr. Bahçeli has given so far are promising and constructive. We interpreted these comments as support in a parliamentary vote,” Yıldırım said.