Turkey's parliament on Monday begins debating a controversial new draft constitution aimed at expanding the powers of the presidency under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that is expected to be put to a referendum by the spring.
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of people outside parliament protesting against planned changes to the constitution that would expand the powers of Erdoğan.
Political parties, as well as several non-governmental organisations and lawyers' associations were among those who had called for the protest in the capital Ankara. Opposition groups that say the move will result in a dictatorship.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES
The AKP needs more than 330 votes - a three fifths majority- for the bill to be submitted to a referendum for public approval.
However, the November 2015 election left the AKP short of a super majority in parliament and it is relying on the support of the opposition right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the fourth largest party.
Once approved by parliament, a referendum should take place within 60 days, indicating a date in late March or early April.
Under the new constitution, the president would not have to sever links with a political party, as is the case now even though Erdoğan co-founded the AKP.
It is also expected to lead to the creation of the posts of vice presidents and the abolition of the office of prime minister.
There will no longer be a formal cabinet but there will be ministers. The president will have the power to appoint and fire ministers.
The draft law says the president would be elected for a five-year term and serve for a maximum of two mandates.
If Erdoğan's existing time as president is not counted in this, it means that in theory he could stay in office until 2029, with the next elections due in 2019.
Parliamentary elections would be held every five years -not four as at present - and on the same day as presidential polls. Both elections would be scheduled to take place on November 3, 2019.
