Turkey Elections: Could a Change in Government be on the Horizon?

Turkey is heading for a big change at the end of this month as the presidential election approaches. After 20 years of rule by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country must decide its future direction. The current president has wielded wide-ranging powers, including the ability to appoint and dismiss ministers and civil servants, issue presidential decrees, and fill many posts in the judiciary. He can also appoint governors and state representatives in the provinces and administrative districts, thus extending his reach all the way down to local government level. The requirement for non-partisanship was also removed under the new system, allowing Erdogan to continue in his post as leader of the ruling AKP party. The election will be a fierce race between four candidates, with Erd…