Presidential system for stability in Turkey, says PM

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Constitutional change will result in trust and stability in Turkey, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday.

“If there is political stability and trust in a country, then anything can happen,” he said at a hospital opening ceremony in Istanbul. “We are saying ‘Let’s come and make this constitutional change. Let’s make trust and stability permanent.’”

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party has sought to introduce a presidential system to replace the current parliamentary model since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the first head of state elected by popular vote in August 2014.

In order to secure a referendum on the issue, it has reached an agreement with the opposition Nationalist Movement Party to give it the necessary 330 votes in parliament.

The AK Party has said a presidential system will avoid weak coalition governments and Yildirim said Turkey “cannot preserve its gains” without the change.