Presidential system will take Turkey to the next level, Presidential spokesman Kalın says
| Sabah Photo


"The presidential system will take Turkey to the next level," Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said at a press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, three days after Turkey held its general elections.He noted that a referendum could be held if Turkey changes its political administrational system, in order to receive the people's input.Kalın also said that the discussion over change of Turkey's parliamentary system into an executive presidency will speed up in the period ahead.Kalın said the presidential system is not personally related to President Erdoğan, as he is "already a strong leader constitutionally, and in the hearts and minds of the people".Kalın also noted that Turkey will keep a balance between security and freedom, while it continues to fight all types of terrorism including the PKK, ISIS, and DHKP-C, Kalın stated, adding that Sunday's elections have demonstrated, the nation has given the necessary response to those who attempt to aesthetize terrorism.Kalın said that 20,000 people have been prohibited to enter Turkey for having links with terrorist organization ISIS, while over 2,000 suspects have been deported and over 1,000 have been detained for having links with ISIS. Similarly, Kalın noted that the Turkish state will continue to take precautions against PKK's terrorist attacks and preserve public order."We do not want a president who only represents the state, but a presidency that represents the people along with the state," Erdoğan was previously quoted as saying.The country's current Constitution was drafted two years after a military takeover in 1980 and numerous amendments have been made to it since then.According to the current Constitution, such an amendment requires the approval of two-thirds of Parliament, the votes of 367 out of 550 lawmakers. Only then can the president approve it or hold a referendum on the matter.The governmental system has been a hotly debated issue throughout modern Turkey's history beginning with the eighth president, Turgut Özal, and continuing with the ninth president, Süleyman Demirel. It has been brought up again by Erdoğan, who has claimed that a presidential system is more suitable to the country's political structure.