Surprised no reaction from BYD owners on this forum

[webfact]

Turkey: hundreds protest plans to expand President Erdogan’s powers

 

 

ANKARA: -- Proposed changes to the Turkish constitution, which would expand the president’s powers, have drawn hundreds of people to the streets of Ankara in protest.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to move the crowds away from parliament.

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), several NGOs and a number of lawyer’s associations called for the demonstration, which took place as parliament began debating the planned changes.

“Turkey is under occupation. The ones responsible for the explosions, clashes, weapons are the ones in power today. Why is there so much security, is there a war going on here?” one woman asked.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been pushing for an executive presidential system since taking office in August 2014.

For the changes to be made, 367 votes of approval are needed in the 550-seat parliament. If at least 330 ‘yes’ votes are cast, the motion will be put to a referendum.

The ruling AK Party, which Erdogan founded, has 316 eligible voters.

Up to 20 days of discussions are forecast before the parliamentary ballot.

Expectations are rife that the proposals will be put to a referendum. MPs from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are likely to side with Erdogan and the AKP.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2017-01-10

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The ruling AK Party, which Erdogan founded, has 316 eligible voters.

MHP holds 80 seats. Looks like there'll be a referendum.

A Presidential system can be an improvement over Turkey's current system of governance providing there's enough checks and balances to abuse of power. When one party essentially controls both the executive and legislative branches, a nonpartisan Supreme/Constitutional Court is all that remains for check abuse of power.

Erdogan has had confrontations with the Supreme Court rulings. So it appears that the Court is still nonpartisan and can check abuse of power. But it might only be a matter of time before the Court is charged by Erdogan with a "judicial" coup - a charge that has been brought by Erdogan against 2,700 lower court judges.

 

[Baerboxer]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

MHP holds 80 seats. Looks like there'll be a referendum.

A Presidential system can be an improvement over Turkey's current system of governance providing there's enough checks and balances to abuse of power. When one party essentially controls both the executive and legislative branches, a nonpartisan Supreme/Constitutional Court is all that remains for check abuse of power.

Erdogan has had confrontations with the Supreme Court rulings. So it appears that the Court is still nonpartisan and can check abuse of power. But it might only be a matter of time before the Court is charged by Erdogan with a "judicial" coup - a charge that has been brought by Erdogan against 2,700 lower court judges.

 

 

I agree. I don't think Erdogan is very interested in democracy, checks and balances and an independent judiciary. He wants total dominance. Another mate of Putin.

[Grubster]

Istanbul the next Aleppo?

[Srikcir]

28 minutes ago, Grubster said:

Istanbul the next Aleppo?

No.

August 2016 - MetroPOLL says 67.6% like president’s handling of duty . https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-11/erdogan-s-approval-rating-soars-in-turkey-following-coup-attempt

And currently Erdogan is attempting reconciliation diplomacy with Iraq Kurdistan.

No parallel to war-torn Aleppo.