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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presses for more presidential powers

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing for a rapid switch to a presidential system, a day after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced he is stepping down.

Erdogan pushes for system change a day after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced resignation

The Associated Press ·
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters during an opening ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday. (Murad Sezer/Reuters)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing for a rapid switch to a presidential system, saying it will make Turkey stronger and more stable.

Erdogan was speaking on Friday a day after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced he is stepping down amid a rift with the president over a range of issues, including a presidential system. Critics fear that would concentrate too much power in Erdogan's hands.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on Thursday he would step aside later this month. The announcement came after weeks of rising public tension with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

Davutoglu, who was less than enthusiastic toward a presidential system, is widely expected to be replaced by someone who is more willing to push it forward.

In a speech broadcast live on television, Erdogan said that a new constitution and presidential system were urgent 
requirements, not his personal agenda. 

With files from Reuters

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