Turkish Parliament approves seven articles of 18-item constitutional package

ANKARA

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Turkey’s parliament approved seven articles of an 18-item constitutional amendment package on the first day of the second round of voting in a move to shift the country’s governance into an executive-presidential system. 

All seven articles received more than 330 votes, which is the required majority to take constitutional amendments to referendum, while the remaining 11 items will be voted on Jan. 19 and 20. 

In contrast to the first round of voting, the process was calmer, although main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) lawmakers criticized ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers for breaching the “secret vote” principle again. 

The changes will bring an increase to the number of lawmakers represented in parliament to 600 from the current 550, and elections will be renewed every five years instead of four. Parliamentary elections will be held simultaneously with presidential elections.  

The new system enables the elected president to keep links with his or her political party and will be permitted to run it.