THE DEATH OF KEMALIST TURKEY: Turkey’s Erdogan could govern until 2029 under plans to change constitution.

Erdogan and his supporters argue Turkey needs the strong leadership of an executive presidency, akin to the system in the United States or France, to avoid the fragile coalition governments that hampered its development in the past.

Opponents see the proposed change as a vehicle for Erdogan’s ambition, and fear it will bring increasing authoritarianism to a country already under fire from Western allies over its deteriorating record on rights and freedoms, especially after widespread purges in the wake of a failed military coup in July.

The AKP, founded by Erdogan a decade and a half ago, is aiming to hold a referendum on the issue next spring and is seeking support from the nationalist MHP opposition order to win parliamentary approval for such a vote.

Having arrested, detained, or jailed tens of thousands of opposition members since last summer, MHP and others would be brave indeed to obstruct Erdogan’s apparent goal becoming Turkey’s President-for-Life.