Erdoğan: Constitutional reform fixes systematic problems

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged citizens on Wednesday to vote in favor of the upcoming referendum.

“So long as those opposing [the referendum] refuse to accept that there is a problem with the system, not the individual, the problem will not be resolved," said Erdoğan.

“There were times when this country went to an election almost every month. On average, Turkey went to an election every 16 months. The proposed changes offer stability."

Erdoğan said he was still evaluating a parliamentary bill on constitutional changes to shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system. Once the bill is approved, a referendum will most likely be held in April.

“Parliament has fulfilled its duty by debating and accepting the constitutional amendment. As president, I will come to the people once I have studied it. The rest will be in the hands of the people," said the president.

The proposed bill will cast a stronger presidency as needed by Turkey at a time when it is fighting against Daesh, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The ruling AK Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) voted in favor of the new constitutional reform package. Two opposition parties, the People's Republican Party (CHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), oppose the proposed changes.

Aside from the change of governmental system to an executive presidency, other reforms include allowing the president to maintain party affiliation.

There will be changes to the country's highest judicial body, which would be renamed while retaining its independence and own budget.