Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan's expressed desire to create a more powerful presidency threatens to complicate efforts to re-write Turkey's military-era constitution in order to provide clearer guarantees of individual liberties, local analysts believe.
Since multi-party democracy was established in Turkey in the 1950s, parliament has been the center of political power, with the presidency largely symbolic and traditionally non-partisan. After declaring that last Julys election victory would be his last run for parliament, Erdoan appears to have his eyes firmly fixed on the presidency. But he seems equally determined not to share the traditional presidential fate of political impotency. "A further step should be taken to get more successful results for our country; it could be either a presidential or a semi-presidential system, said Erdoan in June 6 remarks to the ATV news channel.
The suggestion that presidential powers should be enhanced is proving deeply contentious, with strong opposition coming from all main political parities. "He is talking about a huge change in the Turkish system without talking about checks and balances, not talking about making Turkey more democratic, just a strong leader," warned Yasmin Congar, the editor of Taraf (Partisan) newspaper, an outspoken past critic of the militarys political influences.
Government critics assert the prime minister has become increasingly authoritarian in his political style since his Justice and Development Partys [AKP] landslide victory in 2011, the partys third since 2002. The presidential system that Erdoan himself appears to have in mind is "[m]ore like [the] system of the president in Russia, than in the United States; a lot of power concentrated in the hands of one individual," said political scientist Cengiz Aktar of Istanbul's Baheehir University.
The chair of the Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, however, believes that country could benefit from a presidential system. "I believe when Turkey has had strong leadership, it has been more successful, said Volkan Bozkir.
The nascent debate on executive power is coming at a time when the AKP government is coming under growing international criticism on civil rights-related issues. In June 7 remarks, for example, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule noted that the EU has expressed concerns to the Turkish government about the increasing detention of lawmakers, academics and students and the freedom of press. According to Turkey's Human Rights Society, the number of jailed journalists has doubled since last year's elections and now stands at over 100. Several prominent columnists critical of the government also have been fired. Along with self-censorship and self-policing by television channels, the impression given is that the media is . . .indirectly controlled by the government, commented Yaman Akdeniz, a professor of law and an expert on communications at Istanbul's Bilgi University.
Human rights groups also point to an increase in the imprisonment of students -- estimated at over 600 -- under Turkey's anti- terror laws. On June 7, two students were jailed for eight years under the laws after having unfurled a banner that demanded free education during a 2010 speech by Erdoan.
Some of the prime minister's supporters are making the argument that a directly elected, more powerful president would be more democratic than the existing arrangement, in which the chief executive is selected by parliament and is seen as a figurehead. The presidential system is appropriate for a more democratic structure," argued Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, speaking to journalists. "The idea of a president who holds ties with his party is very important."
The debate already is showing signs of turning ugly. Bozdag last month attacked critics of the presidential system for committing a wrong against Turkey, while critics say Erdoan aims to become a modern-day sultan. The increasingly aggressive tenor of the discussion threatens to hijack wider efforts to re-write Turkey's constitution. The general consensus that the country needs a new, democratic constitution is rare in the deeply polarized world of Turkish politics.
Turks today blame many of the countrys woes on the military rule of the 1980s and its legacy, the 1983 constitution. "The present constitution is about controlling and restricting rights, rather than protecting them," commented Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson Bozkir. All 26 members of the inter-party parliamentary committee tasked with drafting a new constitution agree with that view, and, so far, all claim a positive working environment among the group.
Go here to read the rest:
Turkey: Could Ankara Make a Switch to a Powerful Presidency?
- What Causes Erectile Dysfunction and How to Treat Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Life Line - Ayurveda for Male Impotency - Tv9 - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Vivien- Sexual Impotency vs. Asexuality - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Small PP Simmons - Intellectual Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Delhi Man Killed After He Gave Impotency Drug To Wife's Paramour - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Home Grown - Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Pri-Jax - Permanent Treatment for Premature Ejaculation,Impotency ,Erectile Dysfuntion - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- anti smoking impotency.flv - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Penile implant surgery for impotency.avi - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- A GREEN Approach To PROSTATE - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- How to Stop Impotency - Natural Treatment For Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Homemade Remedies For Premature Ejaculation and Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Smoking Causes Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- 'FOOD TAKEN IN RECYCLED PLASTIC COULD LEAD TO IMPOTENCY' - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Herbal V Silagra Best Medication On Erectile Dysfunction - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Impotency - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Ben Novak: The Impotency of Student Government - Video - April 8th, 2012 [April 8th, 2012]
- Election Commission and the peril of reforms - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Serie A Week 33, Preview And Fixtures: Let's Try This Again, Shall We? - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Houston Rockets Playoff Spot Gag Job Means Change Should and Must Come - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Singles in the City | An insider's guide to the Tulsa dating scene - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Man sues BMW for "persistent erection" after motorcycle ride - May 2nd, 2012 [May 2nd, 2012]
- California man sues BMW for persistent erection - May 2nd, 2012 [May 2nd, 2012]
- Trashed Mission District businesses want answers - May 2nd, 2012 [May 2nd, 2012]
- New over-the-counter sperm test claims to help men test their fertility - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- Newton-John: Grease was life-changing - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- O'Shaughnessy in BGT semis - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- The Occupiers leave the building - May 12th, 2012 [May 12th, 2012]
- Viagra helps Swedish gangs get profits up - May 21st, 2012 [May 21st, 2012]
- Stress of trying for a baby can cause men 'impotence and lead to adultery' - May 21st, 2012 [May 21st, 2012]
- Healthy Memphis: Get handle on high blood pressure to avoid disease - May 21st, 2012 [May 21st, 2012]
- Tik and HIV: A ticking time bomb - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- U.S. task force recommends against routine PSA screening for prostate cancer - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- The role of raisins in sexual health - June 2nd, 2012 [June 2nd, 2012]
- Sound Off! (June 3) - June 3rd, 2012 [June 3rd, 2012]
- High in education, low in virtue - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- THE EDUCATED UNEDUCATED: High in education, low in virtue - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Why David Simon is wrong about paywalls - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Euro 2012 Day 2: 5 Takeaways from Group B Round 1 - June 10th, 2012 [June 10th, 2012]
- Women write better sex, says Martin Amis - June 11th, 2012 [June 11th, 2012]
- Mumbai's Kokilaben hospital unveils robotic arm for surgeries - June 11th, 2012 [June 11th, 2012]
- 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan review - June 11th, 2012 [June 11th, 2012]
- Asia needs to fix financial safety net - June 16th, 2012 [June 16th, 2012]
- Early intervention gives hope - June 17th, 2012 [June 17th, 2012]
- San Antonio's Cisneros opens up about cancer battle - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- Women in Iraq face court-ordered virginity tests - July 2nd, 2012 [July 2nd, 2012]
- Angels 3, Indians 0: Tribe lays egg on scoreboard - July 3rd, 2012 [July 3rd, 2012]
- Defending the Prophet - July 4th, 2012 [July 4th, 2012]
- Not having child does not prove impotency: High Court - July 24th, 2012 [July 24th, 2012]
- As We See It: Political conventions: Why bother - August 29th, 2012 [August 29th, 2012]
- Results of Some Natural BPH Treatments Are Uncertain While Dr. Allen’s Device Can Help to Protect from Prostate Gland ... - September 30th, 2012 [September 30th, 2012]
- Despite Tory carping, Canadians value the United Nations - October 2nd, 2012 [October 2nd, 2012]
- Louisville Army veteran sues VA after suffering frostbitten penis - October 4th, 2012 [October 4th, 2012]
- Natural Remedies - Natural Way to Promote Healthy Vitality in Men. - October 6th, 2012 [October 6th, 2012]
- 'Once Upon a Time': Charming in charge and Regina's redemption - October 8th, 2012 [October 8th, 2012]
- Joining the World in Prayer for Malala - October 13th, 2012 [October 13th, 2012]
- After 5 months questions still too hot to handle - October 14th, 2012 [October 14th, 2012]
- Long Valley cancer specialist: Complexity of prostate cancer requires complex treatments - October 15th, 2012 [October 15th, 2012]
- Anti tobacco case taken up for hearing - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Try Dr Allen’s Device for Natural BPH Termination Now as New Expensive Laser Equipment Requires More Patients for ... - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- TAKE NOTE, MCA: After mega dinner, mega DISASTER awaits at GE13 - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- House resolution seeks to amend Animal Welfare Act to further curb dog meat trade - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Tadalis SX - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- ER Season 5 Episode 13 - Choosing Joi - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- How to be PSYCHIC - Learn to use powers of your mind and intuition abilities - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Impotency best treatment with Acupuncture -Malaysia Mastertole KL centre of Thetole herbs - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- world best treatment for energy patients form all over the world-Malaysia Mastertole Thetole - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- VIAGRA impotency sildenafil pharmacy pills viagra cialis - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Impotency- Home Grown - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Suhita Thatte shares love for GANDHIGIRI with Female Impotency-TV9 - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Dhatri Vita vigor vigour vitality sex male Dhatri Vita Sexual Health Wellbegin sureherbalcure.com - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- HOT SHOT - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- HOT SHOT AND NON STOP - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- MANIMAL FARM.1 - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- SHEEP - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Smoking Causes Impotency.mp4 - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- About use kamagra Tommy - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Half of male population in Punjab are impotent - Video - November 1st, 2012 [November 1st, 2012]
- Prostate Growth Doesn’t Mean Prostate Cancer and Dr. Allen’s Device Can Terminate This Enlargement Naturally ... - November 3rd, 2012 [November 3rd, 2012]
- By Kamagra drugs to Avoid Impotency - Video - November 7th, 2012 [November 7th, 2012]