Turkey's 10 pct election threshold could be lowered: PM

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - If Turkey adopts a presidential system a few weeks from now, Turkey's 10 percent election threshold could be reduced, the nation’s prime minister said Monday.

"The 10 percent election threshold could be discussed and lowered. Because with the new model under the presidential system, deputies rather than political parties will be at the forefront," Binali Yildirim told editors from top media outlets in the capital Ankara.

Under the threshold, in general elections a political party must receive 10 percent of the votes nationwide for any of its candidates to win a seat in parliament.

Yildirim said the political parties law could be negotiated with the parties following the April 16 referendum on constitutional changes, including shifting Turkey from a parliamentary system of governance to a presidential one.

On the referendum’s outcome, Yildirim was optimistic, saying: "I believe it will end in Yes."

He rejected No campaigners’ claims that the changes would leave the country under one-man rule.

"This system will bring justice in representation and stability in government," he said, adding that it would also eliminate bureaucratic red tape.

Next month, Turkish voters will be asked to vote Yes or No to the 18-article constitutional reform bill. The Yes campaign is backed by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).