Turkey's ruling party and opposition submit proposals expanding presidential powers

Record ID: 76619

  • Title: Turkey's ruling party and opposition submit proposals expanding presidential powers
  • Date: 10th December 2016
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (DECEMBER 10, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** AK PARTY LAWMAKER, ABDULHAMIT GUL AND NATIONALIST MOVEMENT PARTY (MHP) LAWMAKER MEHMET PARSAK ARRIVING FOR A NEWS CONFERENCE REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) AKP LAWMAKER, ABDULHAMIT GUL, SAYING: "This is a reconciliatory proposal. It fulfils the mission our people were expecting from us especially after the failed coup attempt in July 15." REPORTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) AKP LAWMAKER, ABDULHAMIT GUL, SAYING: "Another important aspect of this constitutional proposal is it introduces an historical change to the rule of law. In article nine of the constitution we append the word independent to stress the judiciary is independent and impartial. This is a symbolic change both parties give utmost importance. We are also removing military criminal justice." REPORTERS LISTENING GUL AND PARSAK SHAKING HANDS
  • Embargoed: 25th December 2016 16:45
  • Keywords: Turkey constitutional change AK Party MHP President Tayyip Erdogan
  • Location: ANKARA AND ISTANBUL, TURKEY
  • City: ANKARA AND ISTANBUL, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015CAVYVB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Turkey's ruling AK Party on Saturday (December 10) submitted to parliament a package of constitutional reform proposals that would expand the president's powers, party officials said, in a move that could potentially see President Tayyip Erdogan govern until 2029.
    The package would also bring structural changes to Turkey's security and judiciary, implementing criminal liability for the president, who previously was immune from all crimes except treason.
    The AKP, unable to legalise the changes on its own, has been meeting with the nationalist MHP in order to introduce an executive presidential system long sought by Erdogan and his supporters.
    Any constitutional change needs the support of at least 330 deputies in the 550-seat assembly to go to a referendum. The AKP has 316 lawmakers eligible for voting, and the MHP 39.
    Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Friday (December 9) that Turkey planned to hold a referendum by next May at the latest on the constitutional changes and then presidential and parliamentary elections together in 2019.
    Erdogan has turned a largely ceremonial presidency into a powerful platform at a time of domestic upheaval by drawing on his unrivalled popularity. The AKP now seeks a strong executive presidency that while formalising his personal powers could avert any relapse into the fractious coalition governments of the 1990s.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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