BURSA, Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stressed the need for a presidential system to see Turkey among the most developed 20 countries of the world.
Erdogan made the remarks Friday in the northwestern Anatolian city of Bursa, where he addressed a large gathering.
He refuted claims that a possible presidential system in Turkey might turn the country into an empire.
He described the people who objected to the presidential system as “illiterate,” who argued that that such a system would have no control mechanism in it.
"Look at those states with the ability of making quick decisions. Most of them have the presidential system… If we want to see Turkey among the most developed 20 countries, we should discuss these issues."
He also said that Turkey could have achieved more if a presidential system had been adopted earlier.
Erdogan also spoke about how the existing parliamentary system, under which Turkey had been governed for decades, affected many government programs.
A new presidential system has become a topical issue in Turkey as parliamentary elections in June 2015 get closer. Erdogan has repeatedly expressed his willingness for such a change.
He believes that with the presidential system, the country will make more progress concerning the rights and freedoms.
"There are some circles both from inside the country and outside who cannot accept a developing Turkey... Terror organizations on one hand, and the parallel state on the other, have been trying to divide the country," he said.
"They do not want a solution," he said, and voiced his determination to continue the “solution process,” which was launched in 2013 to end the decades-old conflicts with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in the country's eastern and southeastern regions.
