Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy group chairman Özgür Özel has said his party will take a constitutional reform package that will officially bring an executive presidential system to Turkey to the country’s Constitutional Court for cancellation if it is passed by Parliament.
The first round of voting on the 18-article amendment package was done on Sunday. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) plans to hold the second round by Wednesday and will complete the entire process by Jan. 21.
Speaking at a news conference in Parliament, Özel said if the reform package is passed by Parliament with 330 votes in favor in the second round of voting, and if the deputies again violate the rules of secret voting just as they did in the first round, they will take these violations to the top court, demanding cancellation of the package.
Last week, several brawls took place during the first round of voting after CHP deputies objected to ruling AKP deputies when they showed their ballots to party officials, which is against the parliamentary bylaws.
Once it is passed by Parliament,the president has 15 days to sign the law or send it back to the legislature. If he approves it, the referendum must be held on the first Sunday 60 days after the law is published in the Official Gazette.