Leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said if a constitutional reform package that will introduce an executive presidency in Turkey is rejected in a public referendum slated for April 16, his party will not open President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s legitimacy up to debate and will not ask for his resignation.
Speaking to the Best FM radio station on Monday, Kılıçdaroğlu said if the reforms are defeated, the current system will continue as is and the president as well as government officials will remain in their posts.
“If a ‘no’ vote emerges from the referendum, Turkey will breathe a sigh of relief. Mr. President will keep his job, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım will keep his, all the ministers will be at the helm of their ministries,and they will continue to work…” said Kılıçdaroğlu .
When asked whether his party would ask for Erdoğan’s resignation if the reforms are rejected in the referendum, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “No, this will not happen, either. Why not? Because it was not Parliament that elected Erdoğan, but the public. A president elected by the public will continue to serve until the end of his term.”
Erdoğan was elected president by popular vote in August 2014.