Turkey's parliament votes to give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more executive powers
Representatives vote in favour on first round ballot on proposed legislation which could see Turkish president stay in office until 2029
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Turkey’s parliament has voted to advance a bill which would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unprecedented executive powers, a move widely criticised by opposition politicians.
Politicians voted to approve the final 18th article of the lengthy package late on Sunday. The proposed reforms – which proponents in Mr Erdogan’s ruling AK party say are necessary to deal with Turkey’s fragile economic and security situations – would give the President the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, to once again become head of a political party, and possibly govern until 2029.
Opposition politicians and democracy activists have said the bill is dangerously close to a form of authoritarianism.
During a debate on the legislation last week, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the reform would “resolve the problem of Turkey having two executive authorities.”
“There needs to be one authority in the executive branch,” he said. “Two captains sink the ship, there needs to be one captain.”
A second round of voting is due to begin on Wednesday, after any proposed changes to the articles in the bill are debated.
If the reform legislation is passed by 330 of the 550 members of the assembly in a third vote, it will go to a nationwide referendum, expected in the spring.
President Erdogan has steadily consolidated his control of Turkey’s branches of government since his election in 2014.
There has been a particular crackdown on members of the opposition, academics, journalists and rights activists since a failed military coup in July last year, after which the government declared a state of emergency.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments