Almost 2/3 of Turks oppose Erdogan's election as President of countryApril 9, 2007 - 17:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - While in Turkey approaches the presidential marathon, the start of which is scheduled for April 16 and which will decide who will become the new head of the country with a 7-year term, grows on the political tension. On the eve of elections local NGOs on April 14 are planing to hold a rally in Ankara in support for democracy. In its turn opposition threatens by turning to the Constitutional Court if during the first stage of presidential elections a constitutional majority is not formed in the parliament, where the voting will be held. During the first two stages of elections at least 367 MPs of 550-member parliament must be present, which makes the constitutional majority. Otherwise the voting will be declared invalid. The ruling Justice and Development party has 354 mandates, that's why it cannot independently form a constitutional representation in the legislative body. The National Republican Party has 153, right-central Party of Homeland - 19 mandates. Also there are 10 independent and 7 MPs from other parties in the Turkish Majlis. Besides there are 7 vacant seats in the parliament and Speaker Bülent Arınç, who is from the ruling party, does not participate in the voting. Latest polls show that almost two-third of Turkish citizens are against Erdogan's election as the president of the country. 71.2 percent said they are sure Erdogan must not nominate for the presidential post. Only 23.6 percent of respondents supported the Prime Minister, Cumhuriyet newspaper informs analyzing the results of a poll conducting by Sonar among 1 659 people in 14 large provinces of Turkey, RIA "Novosti" reports. Turkey will elect his 11th president in April. Only twice Turkish MPs have been able to elect the next president unanimously, when the founder of modern Turkish State Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his successor Ismet Inonu headed the country. Most often presidents have been elected during the third stage. The last three presidents Turgut Özal, Süleyman Demirel and Ahmed Necdet Sezer, whose term will be over in a few months, have been elected exactly this way. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |