Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has slammed a constitutional amendment promising drastic changes to the executive system by ushering in an executive presidency, saying lawmakers who say “yes” to the amendment will be betraying the public.
“Those who say ‘yes’ to this will be betraying the citizens who voted for him/her,” Kılıçdaroğlu said Jan. 10 in an address to his party group.
“They are giving the authority to annul the parliament, which represents 100 percent of the people, to a president who was elected by 51 percent of the votes,” he said.
“It is a treason to the public will,” he added, calling on citizens to oppose the amendment.
“I call out to all citizens. If you respect what is right, you will oppose this constitution,” he said.
Kılıçdaroğlu also asked whether Turkey could be delivered to just one person. “Is Turkey such a small country? Whoever that might be, we are against this system,” he added.