NAN-F-37
Penalty
Istanbul, Feb. 24, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Turkish President Recep Erdogan, while campaigning on Friday for a referendum on a constitutional reform package to empower his office, said he could put forward another popular vote to reintroduce death penalty.
“If the people want the death penalty, then it’s done,” Erdogan told a crowd in Manisa province, western Turkey.
The referendum on whether to grant more power to the presidency is set for April 16.
Critics warn it would erode checks and balances while Erdogan’s loyalists said it would stabilise the country.
The president again appeared to equate supporting terrorism with voting against the upcoming referendum.
He said that “Qandil” code for the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party is against the reform package.
“To vote ‘no’ that’s what Qandil says.
“Is anyone who shares the same outlook not like him?” Erdogan said.
Parliament can put a constitutional change, such as introducing the death penalty, to a referendum if at least 60 per cent of the house approves the measure.
A two-thirds majority of legislators can pass a constitutional change without a popular vote.
Erdogan has repeatedly indicated since a failed coup last year that he may bring back the death penalty.
The European Union has cautioned this could spell the end of Turkey’s bid to join the bloc.
(dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole