LBCI

Turkey's Erdogan says wants to see more power in hands of president

World News

22-07-2014 | 08:16

Share

Share

Turkey's Erdogan says wants to see more power in hands of president

2^min

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said he wanted to see the powers of the presidency boosted, adding that he expected his ruling AK Party to propose a new constitution after parliamentary polls in 2015.

Erdogan is hoping to become Turkey's first directly elected president in a vote on Aug 10 and has made little secret of his desire to see the largely ceremonial role imbued with far greater clout if, as expected, he wins.

His critics fear he may use the role to tighten his grip on political power, putting at risk more than a decade of growth and stability.

"I wish to see my country move to a presidential system but I cannot say whether my party will agree to this at that time," Erdogan said during a televised interview late on Monday.

"If not a fully presidential system, a semi-presidential system can also be possible. That way decision making... will be able to work faster and with greater ease," he added, without giving further details.

Erdogan said it was "no secret" that his AK Party wanted to redraft the constitution and would push for changes if it performs well enough in next year's general elections.

Previous efforts at constitutional reform failed when negotiations with the opposition broke down. Changes to the constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority in parliament - more than the 58 percent the AKP currently controls.

Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for more than a decade and seen the country rise from a relative economic backwater to the 17th largest economy in the world.

But his reputation has suffered in the wake of brutally suppressed anti-government protests last year and corruption allegations that have dogged his inner circle in recent months.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

President Aoun welcomes US-Iran deal in call with Iran FM

2026-06-15

President Aoun welcomes US-Iran deal in call with Iran FM

US Embassy warns of potential threats to universities in Lebanon

2026-04-03

US Embassy warns of potential threats to universities in Lebanon

Fuel prices updated in Lebanon

Lebanon Economy

2026-04-30

Fuel prices updated in Lebanon

Blasts heard over Tel Aviv after Israel detects missiles from Iran: AFP journalist

Middle East News

2026-03-19

Blasts heard over Tel Aviv after Israel detects missiles from Iran: AFP journalist

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon Foreign Ministry responds to Araghchi: Relations between states require respect for sovereignty and state institutions

1

Lebanon Foreign Ministry responds to Araghchi: Relations between states require respect for sovereignty and state institutions

Same driver, different roads: Why driving habits change in Lebanon

2

Same driver, different roads: Why driving habits change in Lebanon

Three fronts, growing pressure: Israel shifts focus across the region

3

Three fronts, growing pressure: Israel shifts focus across the region

Lebanon expands free public beaches with 13 new permits

4

Lebanon expands free public beaches with 13 new permits

PM Salam: Decisions of war and peace must rest solely with the state

5

PM Salam: Decisions of war and peace must rest solely with the state

Iceland votes 'No' to resuming EU entry talks: Final result

6

Iceland votes 'No' to resuming EU entry talks: Final result

Nepal begins mass burials of unidentified flood victims as families seek missing

7

Nepal begins mass burials of unidentified flood victims as families seek missing

NATO sees no imminent threat of attack, official says

8

NATO sees no imminent threat of attack, official says

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More