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That might explain why the AK Party leadership is pushing the proposals through parliament as quickly as it can. But it is not just the MHPs grassroots that are disgruntled.

Many of Mr Erdoans former comrades-in-arms like his predecessor as president, Abdullah Gl are opposed to an executive presidency. Everyone knows that I see a parliamentary system as a better, more suitable system, Mr Gl told an audience at Londons Chatham House in November 2014. To be able to have that sort of a presidential regime, you need to check everything. You need to have your balances in the right place.

But these days, Mr Gl keeps very quiet. Such isthe extent of the crackdownfollowing last Julys coup attempt, and the environment of fear and intimidation,that not even an ex-president is willing to speak out.

Loved by one half and loathed by the other, Mr Erdoan is the countrys most divisive politician. He could squeeze out a victory in Aprils referendum. That result would strip away the few powers that keep him in check. For Turkeys massive, disenchanted minority, that result would leave no hope.

Michael Daventry is a Turkish journalist based in London and editor of the Turkish community newspaper Haber

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan is about to make himself a virtual dictator in Turkey - Telegraph.co.uk