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Hard choices for Erdogan as he mulls candidacy for president

Turkey is heading to uncharted territory of first direct presidential elections.
Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara April 8, 2014. Turkey's first directly elected president will be a more powerful figure than the current largely ceremonial role, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Tuesday as saying, boosting expectations he may run for the post in August. Erdogan is barred by the rules of his ruling AK Party from standing for a fourth term as prime minister and
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You have to hand it to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is not one to mince his words whether he is hurling invective at his enemies or laying his future political intentions on the line.

He reportedly told deputies from his Justice and Development Party (AKP) last week, during a meeting convened at the party’s headquarters to discuss the upcoming presidential elections, that the future system of government in Turkey was, “de facto,” a presidential one where the president enjoys executive powers.

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