Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that he will preside over his first Cabinet meeting next month — as he appears to push ahead with his aim of transforming the largely ceremonial presidency into a more powerful position.
Erdogan said Monday that he will preside over the Cabinet meeting Jan. 19, a job that prime ministers usually do weekly.
Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for the past decade as prime minister, was elected head of state in August in Turkey's first popular election for the presidency.
He has indicated he wants to turn Turkey's parliamentary system into a one that gives the president more powers. Erdogan has vowed to use a president's seldom-used powers, such as calling Cabinet meetings, to be directly involved in the running of government.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
