ANKARA
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged on Wednesday to pursue a new constitution and presidential system, despite resistance from opposition political parties.
"We will pursue a new constitution and presidential system as we believe Turkey needs a fundamental change," said Erdogan.
Erdogan's remarks came during an address to members of the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen at the presidential palace.
Erdogan said there were no preconditions in discussions over the constitution and presidential system, calling on everyone to put forward their opinions.
"All opinions will be discussed and our people will make the final decision in the end," said Erdogan.
He added that these issues were not new and were promises of his last presidential election.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of main opposition Republican People's Party, said the presidential system will not come into existence as long as his party exists.
Turkey has been governed under a parliamentary system for decades and has been discussing the possible introduction of a presidential system for a long period of time.
Erdogan has previously expressed his support for such a change to ensure that the nation's will is not disregarded by shady power-seeking groups.
The president also slammed columnists over their offensive remarks against him and said he had the right to self-defense in a legal environment to respond against those who insult him.
The issue of a potential presidential system has been topical in Turkey for the past few months, as the country approaches parliamentary elections in June 2015.
A constitutional amendment or a new constitution is needed to set up a presidential system in Turkey.
The country's current constitution was drafted two years after a military takeover in 1980 and numerous amendments have been made to it since then.
