...The governing party’s candidate is as yet unclear, but various circles are saying that the system in Turkey will change when this candidate is elected; the move to a presidential system has long been discussed. They say that Turkey would be divided into federations and that the elected president would be the country’s chairman, as in the USA. If such a change happens, the foundation of an Iraqi Kurdistan would become a grave threat to Turkey because a federated southeast region in Turkey would be under the control of pro-PKK parties, scenarios that have so far failed would be made reality and the region would become part of a Kurdistan in the south. Therefore, the presidential system is a risky plan that should not currently be discussed for Turkey. At a time when Turkey is under fire from Syria and Iraq, when ISIS boasts that “we will also take Istanbul,” when our Black Sea neighbor Ukraine is still in turmoil and when the Black Sea is a risky stretch of water, it must remain an integral whole and be entrusted to a political figure. The most realistic option would seem to be for the current system -Abdullah Gül’s presidency- to continue.... Aylin Kocaman Iraq, Turkey and the Presidential Election Asharq Al Awsat
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 06:17:55 +0000