Turkey's prime minister says he hopes his government can achieve constitutional reforms to usher in a presidential system with the support of the nationalist party. Binali Yildirim's comments on Friday came a day after he discussed with Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, plans for a presidential system that would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's largely ceremonial presidency executive powers. Until now opposition parties had opposed a presidential system, saying that would allow Erdogan to rule unchecked. But Bahceli said on Twitter late Thursday that Yildirim's proposals were "positive and reasonable." Yildirim said: "God willing with the MHP we will change the constitution and accomplish a presidential system." Party officials have said parliament could debate reforms early next year and hold a referendum on the issue in April. Meanwhile, Turkey detained on Friday the head of the board of opposition daily Cumhuriyet, said the newspaper, which has been the target of an intensifying crackdown since July's failed coup. — Agencies
