Official: Turkey to take up presidential system in January

ANKARA, Turkey – A senior ruling party official says Turkey’s parliament could debate constitutional reforms to usher in a presidential system early next year, with a possible referendum on the issue in April.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a presidential system that would give his largely ceremonial presidency executive powers. He is frequently accused of running the government in breach of the constitution.

Opposition parties strongly oppose a presidential system they say would allow Erdogan to rule unchecked. But the nationalist party declared Tuesday that it nevertheless supports a referendum on the issue.

Hayati Yazici, a deputy chairman for the ruling Justice and Development Party, told NTV television in an interview Wednesday that constitutional reforms to be proposed by the party could be discussed in parliament in January.