Turkey Will 'Leap Forward' with Presidential System

Turkey will make a leap forward if it adopts a system strengthening the powers of strongman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his ruling party's election win, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

"We have a clear opinion that the presidential system will help Turkey jump to another league," Ibrahim Kalin told reporters in Ankara, signaling that the issue could be put to the Turkish people in a referendum.

It is no secret that Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since he became premier in 2003, is seeking to broaden his role into a U.S.-style executive presidency.

In Sunday's election, Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) won 317 seats in the 550-member parliament -- still short of the 330 needed to change the constitution and give the president greater powers.

Kalin said hinted at a referendum, saying: "This is an issue that can be finalized after consulting with the people... If the mechanism to do this is a referendum, then one will be held."