Turkey – President’s situation clarified

The constitutional situation regarding the presidency in Turkey has now, finally, been clarified.

As reported previously, the constitutional reform of 2007 left a number of questions unanswered. Most notably, the president’s term was shortened from seven to five years. So, did the shorter term apply to President Gül, who was elected by parliament just a couple of weeks before the constitutional amendment?

Some clarification was provided earlier this year when a law was passed that allowed President Gül to serve for seven years i.e. until 2014.

The Constitutional Court has now issued a seemingly definitive ruling. President Gül is allowed to serve for seven years. He is also allowed to run again in 2014, though, if elected, his second term would be only five years.

The report is available in Hürriyet Daily News.

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