New Turkey constitution bill closer to signing
A BILL to expand Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers has been submitted to the head of state for his approval ahead of a referendum possibly in April, the prime minister said yesterday.
Erdogan’s signature would be the final executive step in the adoption of the controversial bill ahead of the referendum, the date of which Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said would be announced this week.
Parliament on Saturday approved a new 18-article constitution, which would create an executive presidency for the first time in Turkey, in the final of two readings.
Brawls erupted in parliament during debates over the changes to the constitution, which critics fear will lead to one-man rule.
Yildirim told provincial ruling party chiefs in a televised speech in Ankara that Erdogan would sign the bill and the approval would be published in the Official Gazette.
There would be a 60-day period before the referendum.
Yildirim did not say when the bill would be signed by Erdogan, who is currently in Africa.
The changes would give the head of state the power to appoint and dismiss ministers.
There would no longer be a prime minister but instead one or more vice-presidents.
Turkish officials have dismissed concerns over the legislation, saying the changes are needed to bring in effective government in a system similar to the US or France.