Azerbaijan, Baku, August 30 / Trend R. Hafizoglu /
The forthcoming referendum on amending the Constitution, scheduled for September 12, will be a step forward in the democratization of Turkey, Turkish opposition Great Unity Party chairman Yalchin Topchu said.
"This referendum will contribute to the Turkish democratization process as opposed to the previous ones", Topchu told Trend over phone from Ankara.
About 29 amendments will be made to the Basic Law of Turkey at a general referendum. It was adopted after a military coup in 1980.
The changes include the extension of presidential powers, the re-nomination of the president, whose term is expired. They also relate to the activity of the ombudsman and the complexity of the closure of political parties.
The amendments are aimed at further democratization of Turkey. It sought to join the European Union as a full member since 2005.
The opposition party head said that the forthcoming referendum takes into account the interests of Turkish people and will rather reduce the influence of the military elite in the country as opposed to the previous amendments to the Turkish constitution.
"The referendum to be held Sept. 12 will give its result and reduce the presence of the military junta in the life of Turkish people," Topchu said.
The Turkish leadership headed by Justice and Development Party considers the existing constitution as an obstacle in the development of the country. Until now, no serious steps were taken to change the basic law of the country despite the statements of the previous coalition governments that the Turkish Constitution protects the military junta.