Turkish ruling party warns of elections if constitution bill not passed
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Ankara, Jan. 12, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) Turkey will hold elections if parliament fails to approve a constitutional reform package expanding President Tayyip Erdogan’s powers, a ruling AK Party lawmaker was said on Thursday.
His comments came after lawmakers threw punches and shoved one another in parliament overnight in a debate on the reform package.
This has added to the sense of political and economic unease that has helped pushed the lira to record lows this week.
The AKP, backed by the nationalist MHP, is pushing through the legislation that Erdogan said will bring the strong leadership needed to prevent a return of the fragile coalition governments of the past.
“If the proposal does not pass in the general assembly, even if nobody wants it, Turkey will have to hold elections,” Mustafa Sentop, an AKP lawmaker and head of parliament’s constitutional commission said.
Under the current reform plans, presidential and general elections will be held in 2019.
The reform will enable Erdogan to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party and govern until 2029.
The main opposition CHP and the pro-Kurdish HDP, the second largest opposition party, fear these changes will fuel authoritarianism.
Lawmakers from the AKP and CHP came to blows as they crowded around the assembly’s podium during heated debate overnight. (Reuters/NAN)
(Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)