Most likely people will elect President of Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Most likely all citizens and not lawmakers will elect the President of Turkey. The corresponding provision is included in the text of a bill offered by the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party, which aims at putting an and to the political crises. The document was supported in the parliament in its first reading on Monday. However, this dos not mean that it will be approved in its second reading.



According to the current system, the Parliament elects the President of the country. But AKP, which is a party based on Islamic ideology, insists on direct national voting.



Last week the government declared it will hold early parliamentarian elections aiming at putting and end to the political crises. It means that the parliament will be dissolved in the near future and the ruling party tries to carry out constitutional reforms till that moment. It succeeded in gaining the support of a not numerous left-central party, however in order to approve the amendments to the acting Organic Law the Turkish government will need 2/3 majority, in other words 367 votes.



On Monday 330 lawmakers voted for the document during discussions of the bill in its first reading. If AKP does not succeed in gathering 367 votes during the second reading, the issue will be put for referendum. By the way, the current President Ahmed Necdet Sezer has the right to veto both the amendments and issue of holding referendum. The bill supposes not only direct national voting but it also cuts presidential term from seven to five years. At the same time the acting head of state will have the right to ballot for the second presidential term. Besides, the legislation offers to cut the term of parliament from five to four years. The opposition insists that it is not the time for such changes.



On May 6 opposition secular parties for the second time blocked current Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul's election as President of the country. He was nominated by the ruling Justice and Development party. Opposition assures he will carry out Islamic policy, which contradicts secular traditions of Turkey, BBC Russian service reports.