Turkey’s PM expects ‘no surprise’ in second round of constitution change vote

ANKARA

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Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said he expects “no surprise” in the second round of parliamentary voting on constitutional amendments and the package will be approved, speaking just a day before parliament’s General Assembly launches a final legislative process. 

“[There will be] no surprise at all. The [ruling Justice and Development Party] AK Party group is like a solid rock. God willing, we’ll make Turkey’s new constitution. This is of course something we are making together with the [Nationalist Movement Party] MHP. [The result of] the second round voting will be similar to the first round,” Yıldırım told reporters on Jan. 17 ahead of a meeting with his party’s executives. 

Parliament will on Jan. 18 begin the second round of voting on the amendment package, which is expected to be completed in three days. The changes stipulate a shift from the current parliamentary system to an executive presidential system, granting excessive powers to the president while abolishing the position of the prime minister. 

Yıldırım said the constitutional amendments will be taken to referendum once approved, planned to take place in early April. 

On speculation that the AKP could opt for early elections, Yıldırım said parliamentary elections will take place in 2019 as planned, describing rumors “as efforts to create concerns about Turkey’s stability.” 

“Our citizens and businessmen should continue making their plans. They should not postpone investments. Turkey will continue to take its steps in the field of employment, development and growth,” he added.