Turkish nationalist party leader finds results of executive presidential system 'dazzling'

Duvar English

40 pct of Erdoğan voters want changes in presidential system, main opposition survey shows

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has praised Turkey's executive presidential system by saying that the results of it are "dazzling."

Bahçeli, a staunch ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has also said that "democracy killers and coup lovers" will be met with the People's Alliance - the alliance between the AKP and MHP.

"The new system has a firm basis with its institutions, rules and principles. Its implementation is healthy and the results are dazzling," Bahçeli said in a written statement on May 5.

"No one should have ideas. No one should make miscalculations. I'm warning those with intentions. Those who aim for chaos and crisis will have nowhere to hide or seek shelter," he added.

Turkish voters said "yes" to shifting the country's governance system to an executive presidency with a controversial referendum on constitutional amendments on April 16, 2017.

The country shifted to the system officially on July 9, 2018, replacing a 95-year-old parliamentary system.

The system granted sweeping powers to Erdoğan and allowed him to be both the AKP leader and the president at the same time.

In his statement, Bahçeli also commented on the debate on early elections, completely ruling out the possibility.

"There will be no elections until June 2023," he said, adding that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) was 'caught red handed when planning a coup."

"The CHP, which is the political leg of the putschist tradition, was caught red handed," he said, although what he was referring to is unknown.

Turkey a 'de facto dictatorship': Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index

Bahçeli also slammed Germany's Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index for calling Turkey a 'de facto dictatorship.'

"Our people know who these groups that open our level of democracy to debate serve," Bahçeli said, without naming the group he claims is being served.

In his written statement, Bahçeli mentioned a number of international plots that he claimed aim to harm Turkey.

According to the MHP leader, the "resistance" of Turkish economy to fluctuations drive the said domestic and international groups crazy.

While Bahçeli praised the economy, the Turkish Lira has further weakened against the dollar, hitting its weakest level since a currency crisis in August 2018. The lira weakened to 7 against the dollar on May 4.