Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 17
By Orkhan Quluzade – Trend:
The presidential form of government will be introduced in Turkey in 2019, at the same time with the next presidential election, the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Turkey.
He added that Turkey made a historic decision regarding the form of government at the referendum on constitutional amendments, which was held in the country on Apr. 16.
Over 25 million Turkish voters cast their ballots in favor of the amendments to the country’s Constitution, Erdogan noted.
Among other changes, the amendments to Turkey’s Constitution envisage the introduction of the presidential form of government.
In the eastern provinces of Turkey, the voting began at 07:00 (UTC/GMT+3), while in the remaining provinces it started at 08:00, and ended at 16:00 and 17:00, respectively.
Over 55 million Turkish voters were to cast their ballots to say “Yes” or “No” to the proposed amendments to the country’s Constitution.
Earlier, amendments to Turkey’s Constitution got more than 330 votes in the Parliament, which allows putting the Constitutional changes to a public voting. According to the amendments, the number of seats in the Turkish Parliament will increase from 550 to 600.
The amendments also suggest allowing Turkish citizens to run for the MP seats from the age of 18 (currently, the lowest age limit is 25), and holding parliamentary election every 5 years (currently, the parliamentary election is held every 4 years).
Under the amendments, a Turkish citizen, no younger than 40, will be allowed to run for president.
Furthermore, the amendments stipulate that the Turkish president will head the government and will be granted the power to appoint ministers or replace them. Also, presidential hopefuls won’t be required to be non-party nominees any more.
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