Turkish President Erdoğan approves constitutional change boosting his powers
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has approved a constitutional reform bill paving the way for an executive presidential system
President Tayyip Erdogan approved the Bill on Friday
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan approved on Friday constitutional amendments that will bring drastic changes to Turkey’s political system, including a shift to an executive presidential system from the current parliamentary system.
Shortly afterwards, deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced that a referendum on the issue was expected on 16 April.
"With the president's approval, eyes are now on the YSK (High Election Board). The YSK will probably announce that April 16 is the appropriate date for a referendum," Kurtulmus told reporters.
The Turkish parliament sent the constitutional amendments for the President's approval on 2 February, 12 days after it passed the parliament by exceeding the 330-vote threshold to bring it to a referendum.
The Bill envisions granting the office of the presidency — currently a largely ceremonial position — the power to appoint government ministers and senior officials, dissolve parliament, declare states of emergency, issue decrees and appoint half of the members in the country's highest judicial body. The Bill would also mean that the post of Prime Minister would be abolished and the President allowed to retain ties to a political party.
Other amendments include parliament being stripped of its power to question ministers or stage a confidence vote in the government and the minimum age for parliamentary candidates being reduced to 18 and the number of lawmakers rising to 600.
Erdoğan says the reform will provide stability 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.
