Turkey’s President Erdogan joined a TV program and made the following statements regarding the presidential system: “I will continue to give voice to the issue of the presidential system. Why are they shy about it? What is the presidential system? Let the nation, academics and politicians discuss that. Why do they refrain from it? Actually there lies a system problem behind the problems. They see this as “Erdogan’s personal matter”. This is not my personal matter; this is a matter of my nation. Let us bring it to the nation. Whatever the nation says, we will accept it with great pleasure.” The world seeks the way that leads to stability. We need to get rid of this system crisis.”  (Source: News Agencies)

Comment:

After the June 7 elections the presidential system that was put on ice for a while, is in intense debate again after the November 1 elections. The AKP who came to power alone again after the November 1 elections has strengthened its hand on this matter. Therefore there is a need to have a good read between the lines of the above mentioned sentences of President Erdogan. Showing a political slyness, President Erdogan tells that the presidential system is not his personal matter, and has to be discussed by the public.

In this context, it is possible to say the following:

• Through the AKP coming to power alone again after the November 1 elections, Erdogan’s hand was strengthened on this matter. It is most probable that he plans to bring this issue together with a new constitution to a referendum. He is already expressing this in a clear manner.
• Erdogan plans to finish the firm secular pro-English policy entirely through completely making the pro-American policy dominant in Turkey. Additionally, the presidential system demanded by Erdogan is actually the demand of America.
• Even though President Erdogan does not see this as a personal matter, in fact there is some truth beyond this saying. Because this is a matter that is demanded by America. However, Erdogan gives a lot importance to it, as he wants to fasten down his seat with the arrival of the presidential system.
• In case that the constitutional amendment becomes reality and thus a switch to the presidential system takes place, there might be a two party system like in America in future periods. So probably, a more ‘soft’ CHP and AKP will come in on the parliament.
• It is possible to say that the presidential system brought on the agenda by President Erdogan is not much different from the parliamentary model in its basics, as the secular and democratic system constitutes the basis of both of them.
• In a section of his speech, President Erdogan stated regarding the presidential system, “Why are they shy about it? What is the presidential system? Let the nation, academics and politicians discuss that. Why do they refrain from it? Actually there lies a system problem behind the problems.”, and thus manipulates the public. If Erdogan was sincere in this discourse, then he would discuss the Khilafah, which is the only true ruling system for Muslims, rather than the presidential system. Furthermore, he would be working with all his power to establish the Khilafah or pass over ruling to Hizb ut
• By talking about a system crisis, President Erdogan suggests that the presidential system would solve this crisis. There also is no real equivalent to this discourse, as the presidential system that is implemented in many parts of the world is about to go under. It is unable to produce solutions to the problems and has reached a state of dragging mankind into the abyss. Additionally, the own people of countries like America in the forefront and the Western states where this system is applied, have reached a point where they hate this system.
• In conclusion, without uprooting the capitalist system and instead just playing with the adjustments is not going to generate stability. Therefore, no matter if it is the parliamentary system or the presidential system; all of them are haram (forbidden) for Muslims. Muslims should not be fooled by deceptions like a presidential system, but instead should work for the re-establishment of the Islamic ruling system, the Khilafah Rashidah. This is the only model that will realize true stability.

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