( Cihan ) - Turkish Parliament completed the first tour of the voting for constitutional amendments regarding presidential and general elections.
The amendments included proposals for general elections to be held every four years, election of the president by popular vote and change of the mandate of the president to two successive mandates of five years.
The lawmakers accepted all the proposals but the quorum of 367 votes needed for the direct implementation of the amendments could not be reached.
Thus, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has the right to veto the amendments or even call for a referendum to cast the final decision on the issue.
Republican Peoples Party (CHP) did not participate in the voting as they stated that the voting on the changes of the constitution should be left to the new parliament as the referendum could not be held before end of October or November 2007.
The second round of the voting can be held in 48 hours and is expected to be held on May 10.