LOC01:24
22:24 GMT
ANKARA, Jan 15 (KUNA) -- The Turkish parliament has endorsed, in the first reading, the draft constitutional amendments, put forward by the ruling Justice and Development Party.
In Sunday's general sessions, the parliament approved that last two articles, No. 17 and No. 18, of the amendment package.
The article 17 regulates parliamentary and presidential elections. It stipulates that the parliamentary and the presidential election will be held in November 3, 2019. Until the next election day, current deputies and president will remain in office.
A total of 484 of 550 MPs participated the secret ballot session on Sunday evening at Parliament's General Assembly.
The changes were approved by a total of 342 votes. The motion was rejected by 135 MPs, three voted blank, two were invalid and two abstained.
Every proposal for amending constitution needs the approval of 330 MPs out of 550.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers approved article 18 which allows a partisan president, unlike current Constitution.
A total of 481 of 550 MPs participated the secret ballot session on the 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.
In the past days, Turkish lawmakers passed regulations that define and lay out parliament's responsibilities and the regulation of criminal liabilities for the president and top officials, as well as structural reforms to the nation's highest judicial body.
The second round of voting on the constitutional reform package is planned to take place during the period January 18-21.
If it passes parliament by 330 of 550 deputies, it will be voted on in a national referendum. If it obtains the support of 367 lawmakers, it can pass into law without referendum although President Recep Tayyip has said he would push for a referendum even if the draft is approved by the two-third majority.
The AK Party plans to have a referendum on constitutional changes on March 26 or at the latest on April 16.
The AK Party has 317 seats and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes the support of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has 40 seats and last month agreed to back the package, will be enough to secure a referendum.
Other parties - the Republican People's Party (CHP), with 133 seats, and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), with 59 deputies - opposed to a presidential system, according to Turkish media. Two independent deputies are split over support for the amendments. (end)
rs.ibi