The Turkish parliament adopted the last two articles of the new constitutional reform package yesterday completing the first round of voting, after a brawl amongst deputies broke out between deputies of opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during the voting of Article 5 on January 11.
A total of 481 of 550 deputies participated the secret ballot session on Article 18 on Sunday night at Parliament’s General Assembly.
The changes were approved by a total of 344 votes. The motion was rejected by 131 MPs, two voted blank, three were invalid and one abstained.
According to Article 18, the provision that the president has to break off ties with his or her party will be changed when the new motion comes into effect.
Earlier on Sunday, Turkish lawmakers adopted Article 17 of the new constitutional reform package which regulates parliamentary and presidential elections.
BRT
