Ankara: Turkey’s nationalist opposition party has signalled that it is close to an agreement with the ruling AKP party on a new constitution that would broaden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers.
AKP’s proposals on changes to the charter were found to be “generally reasonable” and compromise is possible on provisions where there is disagreement, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told party lawmakers in a weekly address at the parliament on Tuesday.
Bahceli’s support for a new charter is crucial for the AKP, which lacks the two-thirds majority to get changes approved in the parliament. When combined, the two parties would have enough vote to take a new constitution to a public referendum as early as next year.
“We will get over obstacles through talks and will reach an agreement after meticulously negotiating all articles,” Bahceli said. “In fact, we must.”
Erdogan has vigorously sought to change the system to an executive presidency from a ceremonial one, saying the current set-up of president and prime minister leads to a two-headed administration and slows down decision-making. He’s stepped up his campaign since the failed July 15 coup, saying the military takeover plot proved the nation would be more stable if ruled from the presidential palace.
His critics say a shift in political authority to the office of the president will leave little room for checks on Erdogan’s powers. Even without charter changes, Erdogan has already strengthened the presidency by chairing policy-making cabinet sessions and forcing out the previous prime minister, Ahmet Davogtulu, after he sought to assert his authority as head of the executive branch.
