New term, sweeping new powers for Erdogan as he takes oath of office
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 July 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, New term, sweeping new powers for Erdogan as he takes oath of office, 9 July 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc050d64.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last Updated: July 09, 2018 07:07 GMT
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dominated Turkish politics for more than 15 years. (file photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been sworn in to a new term, assuming sweeping new powers condemned by opponents as a recipe for one-man rule and promising a "new era" for the country of 80 million people.
Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for more than 15 years as prime minister and then president, took the oath of office on July 9.
"I swear upon my honor and integrity, before the great Turkish nation and history, to work with all my power to protect and exalt the glory and honor of the Republic of Turkey," Erdogan told parliament.
Erdogan named a revamped cabinet that included his son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, 40, to the key post of finance minister.
General Hulusi Akar, the army chief of staff, became defense minister, while Mevlut Cavusoglu remained as foreign minister.
Erdogan, 64, was reelected on June 24 with 52.5 percent of the vote in an election that international monitors said lacked "equal" conditions.
The vote followed a controversial 2017 referendum that transformed the government from a parliamentary system to a presidential one.
The changes will give Erdogan vast new powers, including over the judiciary, and the ability to rule by decree.
His closest contender in the election Muharrem Ince, said after the vote that Turkey had "switched literally to a one-man regime."
With his swearing-in, Erdogan became both head of state and government, with the prime minister's post abolished and the parliament stripped of much of its power.
"Turkey is embarking on a new era with the presidential oath ceremony," Erdogan said on July 8.
Erdogan's term is for five years, and there is a two-term limit on the office of the president for now, so he could stay in power until 2028.
Based on reporting by dpa and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
