​AKP has made its choice

TURKEY - In Brief 10 May 2016 by Atilla Yesilada
It is 90% certain that AKP will introduce a mini package of Constitutional amendments to the Grand Assembly by mid-June to allow the president to remain a party member. Called “the semi-presidential system” in the Turkish political lingo would presumably allow Erdogan to retain the party chairmanship and dismiss PMs as he sees fit, as well as to control the make-up of delegates. I also gather from scattered news reports that AKP would force a floor vote on the said amendments before the summer vacation of the parliament. Deputy whip Mr. Nurettin Canikli told the press that given the absence of bi-partisan support for a new constitution and the demonstrated conflicts in the current semi-parliamentary system [referring to the ouster of premier Davutoglu] it was necessary to introduce the semi-presidential system as a transitory solution. Sifting through the opposition press, I find rumors that MHP opposition candidate Mrs. Meral Aksener is negotiating with ex-president Gul and the elders of AKP, such as former deputy PM Mr. Bulent Arinc to form a new party. I find these rumors premature, but developments at the MHP front might have played an important part in AKP’s decision to push the start button. Yesterday, in his weekly address to the parliamentary caucus, chairman Bahceli rejected support for a presidential system and expressed that his party is not afraid of early elections. Hurriyet columnist Mr. Abdulkadir Selvi claims Bahceli told him that he would also not back a semi-presidential system. Pro-AKP daily SABAH claims AKP intends to submit both the immunities amendment to be voted on next week, if it fails to garner 367 votes, and the semi-executive presidency sim...

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