Ruling party says elections to be held if constitution bill not passed

Turkish ruling AKP official said elections to be held if constitutional changes not made
Thursday, 12 January 2017 19:36

Turkey may hold early parliamentary election this year, if the Grand National Assembly fails to adopt the constitutional amendments to switch to a presidential system of governance, Mustafa Şentop, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said Thursday.

"If the proposal doesn't pass in the general assembly, even if nobody wants it, Turkey will have to hold elections," said Mustafa Şentop, an AKP lawmaker and head of parliament's constitutional commission.

Under the current plans, presidential and general elections will be held in 2019. The change will enable President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party and govern until 2029.

The bill needs the support of at least 330 deputies in the 550-seat assembly to go to a referendum, expected in the spring. The AKP and the fascists Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supporting the amendment currently have 355 seats in the parliament. The three articles were each passed with 341 to 343 votes in favour. 

Earlier in January, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said the referendum could take place in early April if the bill passes.