Is Erdogan Aiming to Be A Latter-Day Sultan?
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a "Turkish-style presidential system," which worries democrats, writes Semih Idiz.
![Prime Minister Erdogan gestures during a news conference after their meeting with Russia's President Putin Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gestures during a news conference after his meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul December 3, 2012. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2012/q4/RTR3B64Q.jpg/RTR3B64Q.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=ubFCKn4w)
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing a dilemma. He can’t run in the 2015 general elections. The charter of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) does not allow it. Otherwise there is a chance he could win an unprecedented fourth term.
But Erdogan is a man with a mission. His self-declared dream is to make Turkey one of the 10 largest economies, and turn it into a key international player by 2023. Meanwhile, Erdogan also talks of wanting to introduce “advanced democracy” to Turkey.