The move was taken after on April 16, 2017, a slight majority of Turks participating in the constitutional referendum voted in favor of the transition from a parliamentary system of government to a presidential one. The list of constitutional amendments supported by the Turkish citizens included an increase of presidential powers and abolishing the office of prime minister.
READ MORE: Turkish President Calls Snap Election to ‘Deny His Rivals Time to Organize'
The signed law also put an end to the so-called appointment system, which gave the opportunity for the Turks living outside the country to cast their ballots only after an application for an appointment and determination of a day they would vote, allowing the compatriots living in other states to take part in the election whenever convenient to them.
The bill was signed two months ahead of early presidential and parliamentary elections announced by Erdogan earlier in April. Explaining the decision to hold a snap vote the Turkish leader said that the transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system should take place as soon as possible.
Yeni dönem, daha fazla demokrasi, daha güçlü hukuk devleti dönemi olacaktır.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RT_Erdogan) April 24, 2018
Yeni dönem, daha fazla refah ve özgürlük dönemi olacaktır.
Yeni dönem, yürütmenin daha etkin, yasamanın daha itibarlı, yargının daha bağımsız olduğu bir dönem olacaktır. https://t.co/hNUmDiB18S pic.twitter.com/QdHyYpVUGQ
