After poll win, Davutoglu seeks new constitution
November 2, 2015, 10:53 am

Davutoglu wants a new constitution which enhances and strengthens presidential powers [Xinhua]

“It is obvious that the current system does not meet the Turkey’s needs. This shirt is too tight for this country,” Davutoglu said at a post-poll rally, according to the local Anadolu news media.

The existing constitution was drafted in 1980.

In a reversal of fortune, Turkish opposition parties were dealt a severe blow as voters appeared to give Davutoglu’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) a critical victory in snap parliamentary elections held Sunday.

With all ballots counted, the AKP – which had lost its hold on the 550-seat parliament during June elections – stormed ahead of its main rival the opposition CHP Sunday and won at least 49 per cent of the vote – or about 317 seats.

This marked a considerable increase since the last polls in June, when the AKP won only 41 per cent of the vote.

On Monday morning, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the world community to respect the will of the Turkish people.

The CHP managed around 25 per cent of the vote, or some 135 seats.

The predominantly Kurdish party, HDP, lost seats in the parliament but coasted through with the necessary 10 per cent of the vote to maintain a presence in the legislature despite an ongoing war between the Turkish military and Kurdish militia Ankara has classified as terrorist groups operating in Iraq.

According to Turkish media, the HDP won 59 seats.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) also lost seats winning just shy of 12 per cent, or 40 seats.

According to the Turkish electoral commission, voter turnout was 85 per cent.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies