Binali Yildirim says he will resign from all posts he holds if there is any move towards federal system in Turkey
Turkish prime minister has given assurances to voters the country will not move towards a federal system after the upcoming referendum.
Binali Yildirim vowed to resign from all positions he holds if any article in the proposed constitutional reforms ends up in such a system.
Speaking at a meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations in Ankara Friday, Yildirim said: “If there is any article on the federal system or move towards a federal system in this [proposed] constitution, I will resign from my [Justice and Development] party leadership and Prime Ministry, today, immediately.”
He said the country’s unitary state structure would remain in place.
“Unitary state structure, one state, one nation, one flag and one homeland, are irreplaceable principals for us," he added.
The prime minister’s statement comes after the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli expressed concern over allegations that the government plans to move the country towards a federal system following a referendum on constitutional reforms on Sunday.
The constitutional changes, which are supported by the ruling AK Party and MHP, aim to shift Turkey’s current parliamentary system towards a presidential one, which would abolish the Prime Ministry and allow more executive powers to the president.
