Nichola
Up to now the role of President has been taken as a largely ceremonial one, with some leeway to refuse to sign legislation, but with real power lying in the office of the Prime Minister. I don't know whether this was covered by formal constitutional arrangements but I suspect that it was/is since there was parliamentary talk last year about passing constitutional amendments. This was when RTE was reputed to be attempting to "do a Putin": i.e. when forced to give up the PM position, transferring power to the Presidential role, and then getting elected for the "new" job of ruling Russia/Turkey. Since then I have not heard of these constitutional changes being enacted but I am sceptical of the possibility that RTE would willing accept a largely ceremonial role.
So I have a number of questions:
Am I exaggerating the difference in relative power between PM and Pres.? Am I right in saying there has been no major constitutional change in the respective roles? In the highly likely event of RTE winning the election what is likely to happen then? RTE to use AKP's parliamentary strength to push through constitutional change after the event? A puppet PM appointed who will be directed by RTE? Or, just possibly, that RTE accepts the present Pres. role and leans back to bask in his wondrous achievements - surely not?
