Erdoğan has signed 2,755 decrees since shift to presidential system

Photo: AA

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Turkey's reflexes under its current presidential system are quicker as well as more effective and comprehensive in responding to regional and global crises, the country's president said on Tuesday.

"The presidential system of government is the only administrative reform carried out directly by the people's will in our 200-year quest for democracy," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said at a special Cabinet meeting looking back at the last two years under Turkey's presidential system, adopted in the wake of a 2017 referendum.

He said that he has signed 2,755 decrees since the shift, which has enabled them to "serve the people uninterruptedly.

"With the new system, Turkey has the opportunity to respond more effectively, rapidly and comprehensively to regional and global crises. We have seen tangible results of this in many areas, from the developments in the eastern Mediterranean to the coronavirus epidemic.

"Don't we have inadequacies? Of Course, we have. Aren't there any problems? Of course, there are. But, thanks to the opportunities provided by the new system, we can quickly complete the deficiencies and correct the faults. Like any change, it will take time to settle.

Erdoğan added that he would willingly change course if a better and more effective system of government was found, stressing that "growing pains" were inevitable as the country made corrections in many areas from politics to society.

He reiterated that Turkey did not seek to violate the rights of other countries, but instead would continue to protect its own rights.

Turkish switched to a presidential system following a controversial referendum in April 2017. The Supreme Election Council (YSK) announced during the voting that it would accept unstamped voting papers as valid. The shift was completed after Erdoğan's reelection in June 2018. (AS/VK)