Turkish PM says finalising constitutional change to bolster Erdogan powers
ANKARA -- Turkey's ruling AK Party is finalising plans to formally cement President Tayyip Erdogan's powers by creation of an executive presidency and will meet the nationalist opposition to iron out details, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday.
Erdogan has long sought constitional change to strengthen what had been in the past a largely ceremonial position. Unrivalled in popularity, he has turned the presidency into a powerful vehicle for his ambitions, bolstered since a failed July military coup by imposition of emergency rule.
To achieve the majority needed in parliament to trigger a referndum on the issue, the AKP needs the support of the nationalist MHP party.
