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Roundup: Turkey says a new constitution to be made: PM

Xinhua, July 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Monday that the process to make the new constitution has started, local media Daily Sabah reported.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) have reached a consensus on the making of a new constitution, Yildirim said at the press conference after the cabinet meeting.

"We have agreed to make minor changes in the current constitution, and the process to make a whole new constitution has started," the prime minister added.

"We will work together to prepare the infrastructure for this (system)," Yildirim said.

On bigger changes to come, he said "We have decided to continue the unfinished process to make a new constitution."

Yildirim noted the gendarmerie and coast guard, which were previously under the command of the Turkish armed forces, would be fully tied to the interior ministry.

He also announced that the Bosphorus Bridge, connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, would be renamed as "The July 15 Martyrs' Bridge" in honor of civilians who died resisting the July 15 coup attempt.

Two monuments to the civilians killed during the failed coup will also be built in Ankara and Istanbul.

Separately, in an interview with German broadcaster ARD, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish people want the death penalty reintroduced, and the government must listen to what the people say.

Erdogan said Turkey would keep its promises in a migrant deal with the European Union (EU), but arguing that the EU had failed to provide Turkey with sufficient aid.

Meanwhile, Turkey's parliament decided to establish a commission to investigate the coup attempt, Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.

The commission would be authorized to question suspects in jail or outside like prosecutors, even during the ongoing judicial process, but would have no right to impose punishment.

The failed coup attempt on July 15 left at least 290 people, including more than 100 "coup plotters," killed, authorities said. Endit