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Turkish MPs tackle president vote First step for Turkey reform plan
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's parliament has been meeting to discuss whether to elect the president by popular vote, amid a crisis over the country's secular traditions. Turkey's parliament has given initial approval to electoral reforms brought by the ruling party amid a crisis over the country's secular traditions.
The ruling AK party, which has roots in political Islam, is pushing for the vote to be taken from the hands of MPs. Among other measures, the ruling AK party, which has Islamist roots, wants the president to be elected by the people, rather than by MPs.
The secular opposition has blocked the presidency bid of the AK party's candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, saying he has an Islamist agenda. The package passed a first round but must now be debated again.
The crisis arose when the secular opposition blocked the presidency bid of the AK party's candidate.
The parties say Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has an Islamist agenda.
A second attempt to elect Mr Gul failed in parliament on Sunday.A second attempt to elect Mr Gul failed in parliament on Sunday.
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The government last week called early elections for July in an attempt to resolve the row.The government last week called early elections for July in an attempt to resolve the row.
The AK party is trying to push through the constitutional change before parliament's dissolution.The AK party is trying to push through the constitutional change before parliament's dissolution.
KEY DATES 2 May: Ruling party requests early elections6 May: Re-run of parliamentary election for president16 May: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's term ends22 July: Likely date for early general election (currently set for November) Q&A: Turkey's crisis Tough test for democracyKEY DATES 2 May: Ruling party requests early elections6 May: Re-run of parliamentary election for president16 May: President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's term ends22 July: Likely date for early general election (currently set for November) Q&A: Turkey's crisis Tough test for democracy
It has secured the support of a small centre-right party and may achieve the two-third majority needed to amend the constitution. It has secured the support of a small centre-right party but needs a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution.
It had 356 votes on Monday for the first round but needs 367 for the package to pass. If it falls between 330 and 367 in the second round, the measures will go to a referendum.
The reform package also changes the term of office to five years from seven but allows an incumbent to run again. It also calls for a four-year parliament and not five.The reform package also changes the term of office to five years from seven but allows an incumbent to run again. It also calls for a four-year parliament and not five.
The opposition argues the time is not right to make such changes.The opposition argues the time is not right to make such changes.
Current president Ahmet Necdet Sezer also has the power to veto the changes or call a referendum.Current president Ahmet Necdet Sezer also has the power to veto the changes or call a referendum.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the AK party believes if the people of Turkey had their say, an AK party candidate would be elected president.The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the AK party believes if the people of Turkey had their say, an AK party candidate would be elected president.
The secular opposition parties have mounted a successful campaign to block Mr Gul.The secular opposition parties have mounted a successful campaign to block Mr Gul.
They boycotted the first presidential vote in parliament and then won a constitutional court ruling that there were not enough MPs present to make Mr Gul's election valid.They boycotted the first presidential vote in parliament and then won a constitutional court ruling that there were not enough MPs present to make Mr Gul's election valid.
Mass protests
The military, a strict guardian of secularism, had warned his election might endanger Turkey's system, leading the AK party to brand the constitutional court's ruling political.The military, a strict guardian of secularism, had warned his election might endanger Turkey's system, leading the AK party to brand the constitutional court's ruling political.
The AK party denies it would push any Islamist agenda if it held both the premiership and presidency.The AK party denies it would push any Islamist agenda if it held both the premiership and presidency.
Our correspondent says whatever the outcome of Monday's constitutional debate, the question of who will run for president will remain.Our correspondent says whatever the outcome of Monday's constitutional debate, the question of who will run for president will remain.
There is much discussion over whether the AK party will insist on Abdullah Gul as its candidate or settle for a less controversial option, she says.
After Sunday's failed vote, Mr Gul said his candidacy was "out of the question".After Sunday's failed vote, Mr Gul said his candidacy was "out of the question".
On Saturday, ahead of the vote, tens of thousands of secular Turks had protested in the towns of Manisa and Canakkale.On Saturday, ahead of the vote, tens of thousands of secular Turks had protested in the towns of Manisa and Canakkale.
Earlier demonstrations in Ankara and Istanbul drew more than a million. Earlier demonstrations in Ankara and Istanbul drew more than a million people.