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Turkish Parliament Approves Bill Boosting Presidential Powers

Turkish Parliament Approves Bill Boosting Presidential Powers
folder_openTurkey access_time7 years ago
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Local Editor

The Turkish parliament [Grand National Assembly] approved constitutional amendments that give more power to the president.

Turkish Parliament Approves Bill Boosting Presidential Powers

The bill was approved by 339 parliament members in the early hours of Saturday. It still needs to be submitted to a national referendum.

"I thank the deputies for the work they have done, now the people will have their say," Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a parliament address after the vote.

"A new door in Turkish history and in the lives of the Turkish people has been cracked open today. With our people's 'yes' vote, this door will be completely opened," Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag wrote on Twitter.

Erdogan said the reform will provide stability in the European Union [EU] candidate country at a time of turmoil and prevent a return to the fragile coalitions of the past. His opponents fear it will herald increasingly authoritarian rule.

The reform would enable the president to issue decrees, declare emergency rule, appoint ministers and top state officials and dissolve parliament - powers that the two main opposition parties said strip away balances to Erdogan's power.

 

If approved in the referendum, the new legislation, which includes 18 articles, will come into force starting from 2019. The reforms would allow the Turkish president to have more direct influence over parliament and the judiciary, to appoint ministers and to issue decrees.

The Turkish leader will be able to remain the head of his political party, which is currently not allowed.

The draft of the reforms was submitted to the Turkish parliament by the ruling Justice and Development Party [AKP].

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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