Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday said he could appoint ministers from among members of Parliament, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
“In order to confound you, ministers could be from parliament as well. Why not?” Erdoğan told reporters in response to questions about the first cabinet to be named in a new presidential system.
With a constitutional reform package approved in a public referendum in April 2017, Turkey switched from a parliamentary to a presidential system of governance. According to the new system, cabinet ministers cannot simultaneously be members of Parliament.
“With the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Turkey will step into a new era,” Erdoğan said, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group.
Speaking about Monday’s inauguration ceremony at the presidential palace following the swearing-in of new deputies in Parliament on Saturday, Erdoğan said 22 presidents and 17 prime ministers, vice presidents and parliament speakers would be present at his palace.
Erdoğan also said he would meet with his new cabinet following Friday prayer at Ankara’s Hacıbayram Mosque.
