Constitutional changes in Turkey

A series of constitutional reforms, including the direct election of a president by the people, have been approved by the Turkish parliament.

A series of constitutional reforms, including the direct election of a president by the people, have been approved by the Turkish parliament. The main reform concerns the election of a president directly by the people for a five-year term that can be renewed once again. Until now, the president has been elected by parliament for a single seven-year term. The amendment, tabled by the ruling Justice and Development Party, was approved by 376 deputies against 55. The second reform concerns the holding of parliamentary elections in Turkey. From now on, they will be held every 4 years instead of 5. This change, which was also promoted by the party of Tayyip Erdogan, was voted in favor by 369 deputies. Finally, an amendment was adopted that makes it difficult for pro-Kurdish parties to organize politically, dropping candidates as independents in parliamentary elections. Representatives of the parliament, however, argued that the measure aims to simplify the electoral process. In parallel with the processes in the parliament, the pre-election campaign of the parties begins, in view of the parliamentary elections on July 22, with the interest turning to the opposition alliances. According to a new poll, the ruling Justice and Development Party is expected to increase its turnout in the elections and be able to form a one-party government, which will further strengthen the position of Tayyip Erdogan. The question is whether the country's military establishment will allow the government's constitutional reforms to proceed. No one can be sure, because in Turkey.