Turkey- Problems between president PM at minimum: Davutolu

(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Problems between the president and the prime minister are at their lowest point in Turkey’s modern history Prime MinisterAhmet Davutoluhas claimed amid renewed debate on the government’s desired shift to a presidential administrative system from the current parliamentary one.

“It’s wrong to say that this ‘double-headedness’ issue is new” Davutolu toldjournalistabroad his plane while returning to Turkey from an official visit to Bulgaria.

“What’s more we [as prime minister and president] are experiencing a time when problems are at a minimum” he said suggesting that there were bigger problems before the Justice and Development Party (AKP) first came to power in 2002.

Davutolu particularly recalled problems between Kenan Evren the coup leader who later became the president and Turgut Özal who was first elected prime minister after the 1980 coup. He also noted that Özal faced problems as president with then-Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel in the early 1990s while social democrat Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit later also faced problems with then-President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

“The opposition argues as if this issue has newly emerged. We have to set this right” he said.

PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoanhas repeatedly called for a formal shift to a presidential system with Davuolu also expressing support.

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leaderKemal Klçdarolurecently said the first four articles of the current constitution were a “red line” for him ruling out support for a shift to the presidential system during a change to the constitution.

Davutolu said he wanted to “focus on the positive sides” of Klçdarolu’s remarks.

“He says we can discuss anything but the first four items. He even says they could lend support. This is important” he said adding that this would allow faster steps in issues such as the budget a democratization package that also includes a free-visa travel deal with the EU and parliament regulation changes.

“When it comes to the presidential system the disagreement [between the political parties] is already obvious. We should leave this issue to a debate that all sections of society will take part in calmly” Davutolu said.

The AKP has 317 seats at parliament 13 short of the number needed to pass a constitutional change alone and submit it to a referendum.

“[We will] continue this discussion calmly until a consensus emerges. By no means will we abandon the main points on Turkey’s agenda” the prime minister said.

“When I wake up in the morning I have to think about the operations in Cizre and Silopi on the one hand and I have to watch movements on the borders with Syria and Iraq on the other hand. The U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decision is also about to be revealed so I have to think about its effects on the economy. I have to look at the situation in relations with Russia. Tomorrow I have to go Brussels and think about our visa exemption process [with the EU]. So can we talk about the presidential system all day long?We have to continue our work. We will operate the current system in the best way possible while maintaining that Turkey’s basic problem is its constitution. There will be problems in starting a new lasting and stable period until this issue is solved” Davutolu added.

“Noone is in a position to dictate to the other in constitution talks. They [the opposition] cannot do this to us either” he also said adding that he was planning to meet with opposition leaders to talk about the budget the government’s legislative plan for the coming period and the constitutional change.

By Akif Beki