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Turkish MPs back new constitution, cementing Erdoğan's powers
Turkish MPs have backed sweeping changes to constitution that would abolish the Office of Prime Minister, usher in executive presidency and end judicial independence
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would have unprecedented power as Turkey’s president under a rewritten constitution
Turkey's parliament has given preliminary approval to a new constitution which will increase the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The parliament approved the two final sections of the 18-article new constitution after a marathon week of debating that began on 9 January and included sessions that often lasted late into the night.
The ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) mustered the necessary 330 or more votes – a three-fifths majority – needed to pass the constitutional change and send it to a referendum for final approval.
A second reading in the Ankara parliament is expected to start on Wednesday, where the 18 articles will again be debated one by one.
The proposed changes, which will create an executive presidency for the first time in modern Turkey, are controversial and far-reaching.
The President will have the power to appoint and fire ministers, while the post of Prime Minister will be abolished for the first time in Turkey’s history.
The changes are opposed by the main opposition Republican People’s party (CHP). The third largest party, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic party (HDP), is boycotting the vote.
A dozen HDP MPs including the two co-leaders are behind bars on charges of supporting Kurdish militants – accusations they claim are political – and cannot take part.
