Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who wants to expand the powers of his office, has cited Hitler's Germany as an example of a presidential political system.

Asked whether the system he wants could exist within a "unitary state", Mr Erdogan told reporters that Adolf Hitler's Germany was one example in history, among others, where the presidential system had functioned.

Mr Erdogan, who has been pushing for constitutional changes, said: "When you look at Hitler's Germany, you'll see it there."

His words were reported by the Dogan news agency and others on Friday. There was no immediate reaction from opposition leaders.

The existing constitution limits the powers of the president. Critics fear that a presidential system would give far-reaching powers to Mr Erdogan, who has already displayed an increasingly authoritarian tendency.