On 2 May 2016, Reuters released a news story in which it was claimed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acts in contrast to the constitutional requirements of his official position by “regularly chairing cabinet meetings.”

According to the story, “Erdogan was required by the constitution to cut ties to the AKP [Justice and Development Party] when he became president in an August 2014 election after more than a decade as prime minister, because the head of state is supposed to be above party politics.”

“But he still commands deep loyalty in the party and has sought to maintain influence, regularly chairing cabinet meetings in his presidential palace and keeping the AKP's executive committee packed with allies,” it continued, implying that chairing cabinet meetings transgresses the President’s authority.

However, Article 104 of the Constitution of Turkey states that the President has the authority “To preside over the Council of Ministers or to call the Council of Ministers to meet under his/her chairpersonship whenever he/she deems it necessary.”

Erdogan, who in August 2014 became the first elected president of the Republic of Turkey, has frequently stressed both throughout his election campaign and after he was elected president that he will be “a sweating president.”