Tayyip Erdogan took his oath as Turkey's new president on Thursday, strengthening his position as the country's most powerful leader of the modern times and stirring fear among opponents of a more autocratic rule.

Upon being sworn in, Erdogan promised to guard the country's integrity and independence and to follow the constitution and the principles established by Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Reuters relayed.

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Moments before Erdogan read his oath of office, deputies of the opposition party CHP walked out of the parliament. According to leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who boycotted the oath-taking, Erdogan violated the constitution by continuing in his premier position even weeks after he won the presidential election.

Aykan Erdemir, a CHP deputy, told Reuters that they are worried that Erdogan would single-handedly implement an autocratic rule in their country.

Later on, 200 protesters gathered in Istanbul, waving banners that call out Erdogan's presidency and alleged corruption. Government forces cleared the crowd using water cannon and teargas.

On Thursday, Erdogan asked Ahmet Davutoglu, the outgoing foreign minister, to establish a new government and take his place as prime minister. He is expected to present a new cabinet lineup on Friday.

Erdogan's win in the country's first presidential election held earlier this month put an end to his rule as prime minister for more than a decade. Under his previous term, Turkey's economy boomed and the nation has established a controversial role in the political situation of the Middle East.

Erdogan's opponents think his goal to form an executive presidential system will give him too much power, citing concerns about his autocratic tendencies and Islamist roosts. They are also worried this ambition will pull the country further away from Ataturk's secular ideals.

Although representatives of 90 states from all over the world witnessed the ceremonies, the leaders of major Western nations were notably absent. Many of the Western leaders distanced themselves from Erdogan since he banned anti-government protests in June last year.

In spite of weakening ties with European nations, Erdogan he would renew Turkey's goal to become part of the European Union. In his first presidential speech, he said he will also prioritize democratic reforms and efforts to end the long-standing rebellion by Kurdish militants.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko was supposed to attend the ceremonies but bailed out after accusing Russia of a new military incursion in the southeastern region of the country.

Tagstayyip erdogan, Turkey, Istanbul, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Reuters, CHP, Aykan Erdemir, Ahmet Davutoglu, European Union, Russia, Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko