Presidential rule in Turkey won’t be more democratic – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Representative of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, commented on the recent activity of Turkish Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who pushes for presidential rule in the country.

“Transition to presidential rule will not make this country more democratic,” Ter-Matevosyan said.

According to the expert, Erdogan’s presidential model will be built like Russia’s, where the power is in hands of the president and the party led by him.

Besides, Ter-Matevosyan said, the growing opposition from the incumbent President Abdullah Gul and Vice-President Bulent Arinc can hamper Erdogan’s plans.

“The party’s meeting which is scheduled for September 30 will also be of great importance, as the members will focus on the charter will prohibits MPs and ministers from running for the third term. Erdogan supports the provision while dozens of senior party members like Ali Babacan and Egemen Bagis are opposed to it,” he said.

Ter-Matevosyan, meanwhile, presumed that the conflict might be solved through proposing mayoral posts to Babacan and Bagis.