Erdoğan urges change in charter due to de facto change in president’s new role

Erdinç Çelikkan - RİZE

DHA photo

Turkey has witnessed a change in the president’s new role, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Aug. 14, asking that the constitution be updated to recognize his de facto deployment of enhanced powers.“There is a president with de facto power in the country, not a symbolic one. The president should conduct his duties for the nation directly, but within his authority. Whether one accepts it or not, Turkey’s administrative system has changed. Now, what should be done is to update this de facto situation in the legal framework of the constitution,” Erdoğan said in the Black Sea province of Rize.The president also said he would continue to attend and speak at collective opening ceremonies for various facilities. “From now on, I’ll be there. You won’t be able to cut my ties with my nation,” he said.The Justice and Development Party (AKP) will meet the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and if the parliament does not go to early elections, then he will seek ways for snap elections, Erdoğan stated.The AKP and MHP will have talks and they may agree on a coalition government for a long-term period or for early elections.Asked about MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s remarks accusing Erdoğan of exercising power over Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, the president said he would not deal with him.“Conditions have changed a lot. Let’s see the final point and then decide,” Erdoğan said when asked if he would give the mandate to form a government to CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.