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Turkish Assembly Approves Bill to Boost Presidential Powers

by Associated Press

   ANKARA, TURKEY --

   Turkey's parliament has approved a contentious constitutional reform
   package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that
   would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
   office.

   In an all-night session that ended early Saturday, lawmakers voted in
   favor of a set of amendments presented by the ruling party, founded by
   Erdogan. The reform bill cleared the minimum threshold necessary to put
   the measures to a national referendum for final approval.

   The vote took place with 488 lawmakers out of the 550-seat assembly in
   attendance. A total of 339 parliamentarians voted yes, 142 no, five
   cast empty ballots and two were ruled invalid.

   Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim celebrated the result, saying,
   "We are now entrusting this to the people, its actual owners. Now it's
   the people's word. It is the people's decision."

   A public vote on the issue is expected as early as March 26, and no
   later than mid-April, according to officials of the ruling Justice and
   Development Party.