Tuesday, 20 November, 2018
  • Economy
  • Erdogan to take oath as Turkey’s1st Executive President with vast powers

Erdogan to take oath as Turkey’s1st Executive President with vast powers

President Erdogan who kept his seat in the June 24 twin elections is expected to be sworn in on Monday President Erdogan who kept his seat in the June 24 twin elections is expected to be sworn in on Monday
Priscilla Morrison | 10 July, 2018, 06:23

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been sworn in for another term as president of Turkey, inaugurating a new political system that grants the leader vast powers. The introduction of the new presidential system marks the biggest overhaul of governance since the Turkish republic was established on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire almost a century ago.

Erdogan narrowly won a referendum past year to replace his country's parliamentary democracy with a system featuring an all-powerful presidency, and followed that with a hard-fought election victory last month to the newly strengthened post.

No more. From Monday, it is a presidential republic under its omnipotent leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan, 64, says a powerful executive presidency is vital to drive economic growth, ensure security after a failed 2016 military coup and safeguard Turkey from war across its southern border in Syria and Iraq.

Parliament can ratify or reject his budget and the president needs parliamentary approval for emergency rule and decrees passed during that time.

Tweeting a video apparently showing himself driving to the airport, Maduro hailed Erdogan as a "friend of Venezuela and leader of the new multi-polar world".

He will then head to more challenging encounters at a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation summit in Brussels where he will meet with United States counterpart Donald Trump.

The changes are the result of a bitterly fought referendum in 2017, where Mr Erdogan campaigned for a Yes vote and won narrowly amid allegations of vote rigging.

The president now sits at the top of a vertical power structure marked by a slimmed-down government with 16 ministries instead of 26 and multiple bodies reporting to him.

More news: Pompeo pushes back against North Korea's "gangster" comment

He will have sweeping new powers, including over the judiciary and the ability to rule by decree.

In one of the most significant changes, the European Union affairs ministry, set up in 2011 to oversee Turkey's faltering bid to join the bloc, will be subsumed into the foreign ministry.

Since taking office in 2003, first as prime minister and later as president, Erdogan has dominated Turkey, tightening his grip over the country of 81 million people as he tamed rival power centres including the military, which toppled some previous governments.

In parliamentary polls held the same day, his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) secured a majority through its alliance with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

Those attending the ceremony at the presidential palace on Monday evening will include Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, in a new sign of the warm ties between Ankara and Moscow.

Among 22 heads of state attending will be Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, regarded with disdain by Washington but an ally of Erdogan, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

The most intense attention will focus on who will be responsible for foreign policy and the economy. Inflation surged last month above 15 percent, its highest level in more than a decade, even though the central bank has raised interest rates by 5 percentage points since April.

Turkey also faces a widening current account deficit making it reliant on weak foreign investment to plug the gap.

Trump Making Supreme Court Pick to Cement Conservative Majority
Trump administration takes another swipe at 'Obamacare'

Recommended

Trump administration takes another swipe at 'Obamacare' Trump administration takes another swipe at 'Obamacare' The idea is to remove the financial incentive for insurers to "cherry-pick" healthier customers. District Court for the District of MA ruled to uphold the payments.

Trump Making Supreme Court Pick to Cement Conservative Majority Trump Making Supreme Court Pick to Cement Conservative Majority Top contenders have included federal appeals judges Brett Kavanaugh, Raymond Kethledge, Amy Coney Barrett and Thomas Hardiman. Chief Justice John Roberts to cast a crucial vote in upholding the law when it reached the Supreme Court in 2012.

Awaiting Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee Awaiting Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee He's a Yale Law School graduate that worked under the Bush administration under the Solicitor General's office. The vacancy on the nation's highest court was caused by the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy .

Trump has chosen his Supreme Court nominee, source says Trump has chosen his Supreme Court nominee, source says He's a ideal 21 for 21 in confirming the federal appeals-court nominees of President Trump , with more to come this year. Joe Manchin III (W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.) - face tough reelection bids this November.

England fans smash up an ambulance during celebrations England fans smash up an ambulance during celebrations Millwall Supporters Club has already raised more than £5,000 for the London Ambulance Service damaged in Borough High Street. Pending victory, Gareth Southgate's squad will play either France or Belgium in the final, held on Sunday.

Boris Johnson resigns in major Brexit blow to UK PM Theresa May Boris Johnson resigns in major Brexit blow to UK PM Theresa May Britain and the European Union reach a deal on some key terms of the divorce in early December 2017 after all-night negotiations. The tousle-headed blond Johnson is one of Britain's best-known politicians, and one of the most prominent advocates for Brexit .

London police open murder probe after nerve agent victim dies London police open murder probe after nerve agent victim dies It is unknown if the incident is connected to the major police investigation in the the Novichok poisoning crisis. The head of Britain's counter-terror police also said he could not rule out further contaminations.

Kyrgios on defensive after Wimbledon rules lesson from umpire Kyrgios on defensive after Wimbledon rules lesson from umpire Nick Kyrgios has overcome his inner demons and a mini foot-fault crisis to book his place in the Wimbledon third round. I don't know if we can do much.

Red State Democrats In Hot Seat Over Trump's Supreme Court Pick Red State Democrats In Hot Seat Over Trump's Supreme Court Pick Barrett, who is 46, has less of a judicial record to review, having just been nominated to the appeals court by Trump a year ago . The New York Times reported Sunday that Trump found Kethledge a little boring and anxious about his record on immigration.

Eoin Morgan says England must do better against India after T20 defeat Eoin Morgan says England must do better against India after T20 defeat India started well as Rohit Sharma shied with the bat right from the start, Dhawan, however, had to face an early exit. Rohit Sharma who has been under fire following his poor form in the IPL and the last few games stood out at Bristol .

Ghanaians react to Russia's shootout defeat to Croatia Ghanaians react to Russia's shootout defeat to Croatia The tennis final is scheduled for 14:00 BST on Sunday and the big football match kicks off two hours later. "We were together. Eleven host cities, namely Moscow, St.

Explain yourself! German FA president demands answers from Arsenal ace Ozil Explain yourself! German FA president demands answers from Arsenal ace Ozil The 29-year-old's own father suggested that his son quit the global set-up altogether, having been made a "scapegoat" in his eyes. Mustapha Ozil said his son was "made the scapegoat" for Die Mannschaft's shock first-round defeat at the World Cup.

Gal Gadot visits children’s hospital dressed as Wonder Woman. See pics Gal Gadot visits children’s hospital dressed as Wonder Woman. See pics While in the DMV area, Gal Gadot made a decision to stop by a Children's Hospital to bring some cheer to ailing fans. Director Patty Jenkins released on Twitter a photo of Minerva uncomfortably looking around a natural history museum.

UK Government in crisis as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson quits UK Government in crisis as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson quits The EU has been keen to focus minds in Britain. "I can only regret that the idea of Brexit has not left with Davis and Johnson". Since cabinet approval for the plan on Friday, however, he had refrained from public comment.

Three Lions Is Officially Number 1 In The UK Three Lions Is Officially Number 1 In The UK It's not hard to figure out that it's World Cup related, but the origins of the saying actually go back over 20 years. The Three Lions was originally released for the European Championships in 1996 when it topped the charts.