PM Erdogan warm to presidential system switch

Speaking in a televised interview over the weekend, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he was warm to the idea of changing to a presidential system in Turkey, adding that the issue may come up after next year's general elections if his party stays in power. Turkey's current system is based on a separation of powers: Executive power is exercised by the government (the prime minister and the Cabinet), while legislative power is vested in both the government and Parliament, and the judiciary is independent of both the executive and the legislature. The president is elected every five years by Parliament and can serve two terms. Erdogan said a switch to a presidential system would be positive, adding, "If our public grants us the right to make such a change in a new constitution, this issue may come up and be discussed." Stressing that he is receptive to such a change so long as it makes the system smoother and helps the country, Erdogan said the US presidential system might be used as a model. In a separate televised interview on Saturday, Erdogan announced that his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) will press the need for a completely new constitution in its election campaign next year. Referring to a 30-article constitutional reform package currently pending, Erdogan said, "The mini-reform package we've prepared is clearly a very significant development. If the public gives us a mandate in the 2011 general elections, we'll push for more radical constitutional changes. To get this mandate, we'll center our campaign around a new constitution."