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Turkish parliament holds second round vote on constitutional reforms

Türkiye Materials 10 May 2007 17:01 (UTC +04:00)

( Cihan ) - Turkish Parliament on Thursday convened to hold the second-round vote on constitutional reforms, including the election of the president by popular vote.

In today's second and final vote on electing the president by popular vote, the amendment must get 367 votes, two-thirds majority in the 550-seat parliament, to be passed.

If the amendment is passed with less than 367 but over 330 votes, three-fifths of the total number of parliamentarians. Otherwise, a referendum might be inevitable.

However, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, who holds veto power on legislation, could decide to veto the key reforms or take it to a referendum as well. Sezer has already spoken against the measure, claiming it was not the right time for such a change because of ongoing political tensions.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed for new and key amendments in the constitution after the opposition parties boycotted the presidential vote, in which Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was the sole candidate.

On Wednesday, parliament formally declared an end to the presidential voting process after Gul announced that he was dropping his bid for president.

First round of the constitutional reforms was held on Monday.

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