Azerbaijan, Baku, April 21 / Trend U. Sadikhova /
A transition to a presidential republic will simplify the system of government in Turkey, experts believe. However, first it is necessary to amend the constitution.
"Before introducing a presidential form of government, it is necessary to change Turkey's constitution, which must strengthen the country's democratic process. Turkey's new constitution is necessary to continue the process of accession to the EU, putting more responsibility on the Turkish government in the democratization of the country," Center of the Turkish-Asian Studies (TASAM) analyst Hilmi Ozev told Trend over phone from Istanbul.
Following a proposal to update 30 articles of the constitution, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan initiated the country's transition to a presidential republic on television. He said such a system of governance is more effective than a parliamentary republic. According to the current constitution adopted in 1982, Turkey is a parliamentary republic.
So what Turkey really needs is a new democratic, civilian, modern constitution, British analyst specializing in Turkish policy Fadi Hakura told Trend from London.
"Big selective changes in the constitution might not be the best approach for Turkey, because the entire constitution needs to be reformed and reformed, as it authoritarian spirits, it limits freedom, and it was really designed by military junta in 1982. So what Turkey really needs is a new democratic, civilian, modern constitution," the expert said.
Turkish opposition parties oppose the ruling Justice and Development Party's initiatives to change the constitution before the parliamentary elections in 2011.
Some groups in Turkey see the constitutional changes as targeting the military and judiciary, which are considered as opponents to the government.
"Some see this as an unwise political move in the current political atmosphere and these changes are not backed by a consensus in Turkey. These constitutional changes are seen by many in Turkey as a political move rather than a constitutional one," Hakura said.
The Turkish leadership considers the constitution an obstacle to development. Until now, despite statements made by previous coalition governments that the constitution protects the military junta, no serious steps to change the basic law of the country have been made.
As the Justice and Development Party does not have a majority (two-thirds) of votes required to make amendments to the constitution, the government offers to submit a bill for voting to the parliament. If the National Assembly refuses to accept the bill, then a referendum will be held. Turkish media outlets report that Erdogan's offer to move to a presidential form of governance is a continuation of the process to prepare a new constitution or amend the previous one. If the idea to move to a presidential form of governance is approved by the people, then the first presidential elections under the new constitutional system will be held in 2012.
The Milliyet newspaper has voiced the "pros" and "cons" of changing the system of governance. Thus, if supporters of a presidential republic are confident that it will bring stability and ensure a real division of power, then opponents, on the contrary, believe that changing the system will lead to a dictatorship in Turkey.
Ozev believes that Erdogan's offer to change the form of governance was made to alleviate the political tensions that occurred after raising the issue of amending the constitution.
At the same time, the analyst appreciates the idea of moving to a presidential republic, as the election of the president by parliament leads to the formation of secondary elements.
According to Ozev, the need for constitutional changes is also dictated by the process of Turkey's joining EU, under which talks have been underway since 2005.
The constitutional amendments are considered one of the Turkey's main concessions on EU integration, which will weaken the resistance of opposition parties, the expert said. Therefore, proposals for amending the constitution and form of governance will flow in the same course, Ozev said, adding that amendments to legislation will automatically accelerate democratic processes in the country.
Debates on a transition to a presidential republic in Turkey emerged in 1980 for the first time during President Turgut Ozal's rule. The issue was again raised by Erdogan in 2003, when his party won the elections.
He is not the first official to attempt such a change. The system is somehow difficult to manage, said Hugh Pope, a senior analyst at the Cyprus International Crisis Group.
He is probably right to express a wish for change. But the real test of whether Turkey actually wants to change will be a referendum. It is a very ambitious project, he said, adding that Turkey needs a new constitution to move closer to Europe.