This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6641381.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Turkish reforms face final vote Turkey MPs back president reform
(about 6 hours later)
Turkey's parliament is to hold a final vote on constitutional reforms that would allow the president to be elected by the people rather than parliament. Turkey's parliament has approved a major constitutional amendment that allows the president to be elected by the people rather than MPs.
The governing AK party tabled the reforms after MPs failed to elect its presidential candidate, Abdullah Gul. The measure is part of a set of amendments proposed by the governing AK Party after MPs failed to elect its presidential candidate, Abdullah Gul.
Turkish secularists opposed Mr Gul, accusing him of an Islamist agenda. Turkish secularists oppose Mr Gul, accusing him of an Islamist agenda.
Our correspondent says the reforms may well be approved because of the AKP's parliamentary majority - but the current president may then block them. The full package must be approved before being sent to the president, who has signalled he may veto it.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says President Ahmet Necdet Sezer may even use his powers to stall the constitutional reforms beyond a general election, planned for July. A total of 370 legislators in the 550-seat house voted in favour of the amendment to change the current system of presidential election by parliament. There were 55 MPs opposing it.
The election was brought forward from November in order to resolve the deadlock over the presidency. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says President Ahmet Necdet Sezer may use his powers to stall the constitutional reforms beyond a general election, planned for July.
The election was brought forward from November to try to resolve the deadlock over the presidency.
DefianceDefiance
The military had earlier warned that Turkey's secular traditions could be undermined if Mr Gul was elected to the presidency. The military had earlier warned that Turkey's secular traditions could be undermined if Mr Gul were elected to the presidency.
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
The main opposition boycotted proceedings and the constitutional court declared the presidential vote invalid on a technicality. The main secular opposition boycotted two attempts by parliament to elect Mr Gul and the constitutional court declared the presidential vote invalid because of the lack of a quorum.
Mr Gul eventually withdrew his presidential bid.Mr Gul eventually withdrew his presidential bid.
Opposition politicians are now forging new alliances hoping to weaken AKP control of the next parliament and prevent it imposing its candidate for president once again.Opposition politicians are now forging new alliances hoping to weaken AKP control of the next parliament and prevent it imposing its candidate for president once again.
According to our correspondent, a defiant AKP is pushing to change the entire system first by handing the choice over to the people.According to our correspondent, a defiant AKP is pushing to change the entire system first by handing the choice over to the people.
It is doing so despite advice that such major constitutional reforms need time and calm consideration.It is doing so despite advice that such major constitutional reforms need time and calm consideration.
The governing party believes the Turkish people would opt for its candidate if they were allowed to choose their own head of state.The governing party believes the Turkish people would opt for its candidate if they were allowed to choose their own head of state.