Erdoğan distracts the political agenda while Constitutional reform debates take place in the Parliament

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday gave the clearest signal that he is considering a switch to a presidential system in Turkey, sparking fresh controversy in the country, which is fed up with debates on the government?s constitutional reform package. Without skipping a beat, writers have embarked on an analysis of Erdoğan?s statements, his plans and the possible pros and cons of a system change in Turkey.

A presidential system in Turkey?

Turkey’s parliament begins debating a series of hotly disputed amendments to the secular Constitution, in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, April 19, 2010. Turkey’s parliament began debating Monday a series of amendments to the Constitution that are fiercely contested by opposition parties who say the Islamic-oriented government’s proposals are aimed at diluting the powers of secular opponents within the judiciary. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government says the reforms to the Constitution, a legacy of the 1980 military coup would make Turkey more democratic and strengthen its bid to join the European Union.? Read more » (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

The Constitutional Reform Package passed through the Constitutional Commission in Parliament. The amendments will not be subject to a public referendum.

Constitutional Reform Package Part 2

Turkey opens constitution debate

After a marathon 18-hour session, the government’s package of constitutional reforms receives 330 votes in the General Assembly, just three more than the minimum needed to proceed with the discussions of individual amendments. As opposition leaders continue to criticize the package, PM Erdoğan expresses his commitment to see the reforms through to the end

Both the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, and the Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, repeat their opposition to the ruling government’s constitutional reform package, saying it will not help achieve democratization in Turkey

Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal addresses members of parliament during a debate at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara April 19, 2010. The Turkish parliament has begun debating changes to the constitution on Monday.? Read more »REUTERS/Umit Bektas

PM Erdoğan and democratic initiative

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says they have faced an unprecedented harsh reaction from opposition parties despite their struggle to reach a compromise on the reform package