Ankara issues decree transferring powers to Turkish president Erdoğan

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will on Monday be sworn in for a second mandate with new powers
Wednesday, 04 July 2018 17:48

Ankara issued a decree on Wednesday transferring some powers to the president, in line with Turkey's move to an executive presidential system brought about by last month's presidential and parliamentary elections.

The decree, issued in the Official Gazette, brought about changes in laws dating from 1924 to 2017 changing references to the prime minister and cabinet of ministers to the president and the president's office.

The AKP government has been issuing decrees, bypassing parliament, since a state of emergency was imposed following an attempted military coup in July 2016.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan acquired some additional new powers on Wednesday as part of a transition to an executive presidency that will culminate on July 9 with his taking the oath of office for a new five-year term.

In April 2017, a new draft constitution that significantly increases the powers of Turkish President Erdoğan has been approved in a fraudulent referendum. An international observer with the Council of Europe has said that as many as 2.5 million votes may have been manipulated in a vote that passed by a margin of 1.3 million "Yes" ballots. The changes are due to take full effect following the 'victory' of Erdoğan and his AKP in June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The composition of the new cabinet of ministers, who are now appointed by the president due to the transition to the presidential system of government, is expected to be announced on the same day.

Under the new system, Erdoğan will enjoy greater powers with the authority to appoint and sack ministers, judges and other state officials.