Turkish top court annuls some parts of government-backed package of reforms

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's top court annulled some parts of a government-backed package of reforms intended to overhaul the constitution, but rejected an opposition appeal to throw out the entire package, Today’s Zaman reported.

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says the reforms are designed to deepen democracy and help meet requirements for Turkey to join the European Union.

The court's chairman Hasim Kilic, told a news conference the reform charter, barring annulled parts, would now go to a referendum as planned.

Among the contentious measures annulled by the court were proposals to give the president more control over naming members of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, a powerful body which has often been at odds with the AK Party.

The main opposition Republican People's Party had asked the court earlier this year to annul the referendum.

A government spokesman was critical of the top court, saying Wednesday's ruling undermined the authority of Turkey's parliament. The deputy chairman of the AK Party group in parliament, Suat Kilic, ruled out an early election.