A striking scenario in AKP corridors: The 'transitional presidency' formula for Erdoğan

Nefes columnist Babacan wrote, "The foundation of the new constitution is not 'getting rid of the coup constitution,' but rather a plan for 'how we can emerge from the election with an advantage.' For this reason, if the constitution is to be discussed, we cannot reach a conclusion by simply adding and subtracting the number of seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). It will be necessary to discuss the new alliances that will form and the old ones that will dissolve!" 

Stating that "The draft constitution prepared by the AKP is sitting before President Tayyip Erdoğan. Although the main element of this text is to fix the malfunctioning aspects of the Presidential Government System, we know that alternatives are being presented. The 100-article draft constitution of the People's Alliance partner MHP is also known," Babacan continued as follows:

"More recent than these is the proposal to return to a strengthened parliamentary system before the elections and to reach an agreement with President Erdoğan on this matter.

The first to voice this plan was Future Party MP Kani Torun. Afterward, we noticed that the topic had attracted a lot of interest within the AKP. It has been developed with new versions and interpretations. Every conversation leads to this scenario.

Therefore, I wanted to note the new analyses within the AKP here;

“The President would only approve such a plan if he becomes convinced that he cannot be re-elected. Because he would not want to transfer the powers he currently wields to the next government.

Transitioning to a parliamentary system would ensure that the next government has more controlled power. If he can negotiate, he would want to be the transitional president, or he would settle for a centrist name like Mansur Yavaş.

This plan, referred to as a soft transition, aims for things like 'protecting conservatives from lawsuits that would be filed by the new government or ensuring they are less battered!'

Thanks to the AKP's National View (Milli Görüş) base, it is likely to receive at least 25 percent of the vote. Having his party, which he would most likely want his son Bilal Erdoğan to head, remain a strong figure in Parliament would both ensure the protection of family legal interests and allow him to control the party through his son…”