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Turkey's referendum likely to be held in April: official

Xinhua, January 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

A constitutional referendum introducing a full presidential system is likely to be held in the beginning of April, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Kurtulmus said on Monday.

"Following the approval of the parliament, the right thing is to hold a referendum in the shortest time," Kurtulmus said during the interview with local broadcaster channel A HABER.

The Turkish parliament on Sunday concluded the first round of voting on all 18 articles of the constitutional amendment package which enlarges the powers of a president.

The changes, in particular, include allowing a partisan president, so that the president does not have to break off the ties with his or her political party, while the presidential powers include passing bills and appointing ministers.

The second round of voting on the constitutional reform package is scheduled for Jan. 18.

According to the current roadmap of the parliamentary discussions, the referendum is very likely to be held on April 2, Daily Sabah reported.

The constitutional amendments discussed in parliament is supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

If at least 330 of the 550 lawmakers approve the articles, the changes will be posed to the public in a referendum.

Any article that remains below the 330 vote threshold in the second round will be left out of the package, regardless of the result of the first round.

Proposed changes to the constitution require a simple majority (51 percent).

The AKP has 316 seats and the MHP, which has 39 seats, will secure a referendum, state-run Anadolu Agency said. Endit