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Turkish president contests reform Turkish president contests reform
(about 2 hours later)
Turkey's President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has called a referendum to decide whether the people or parliament should elect the new president.Turkey's President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has called a referendum to decide whether the people or parliament should elect the new president.
He has already vetoed a government plan to have the head of state directly elected by the people. Currently the president is elected by parliament.He has already vetoed a government plan to have the head of state directly elected by the people. Currently the president is elected by parliament.
The ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party introduced the reform after MPs blocked the election of its candidate.The ruling Islamist-rooted AK Party introduced the reform after MPs blocked the election of its candidate.
Mr Sezer, a secularist critic of the government, cannot veto the plan again.Mr Sezer, a secularist critic of the government, cannot veto the plan again.
The AK Party believes its presidential candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, would win in a national election.The AK Party believes its presidential candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, would win in a national election.
The Turkish establishment, including the military, is concerned that a president from the AK Party could undermine the secular nature of the republic's institutions. Turkish secularists suspect the party has an Islamist agenda.The Turkish establishment, including the military, is concerned that a president from the AK Party could undermine the secular nature of the republic's institutions. Turkish secularists suspect the party has an Islamist agenda.
The crisis prompted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bring the general election forward to 22 July, instead of November.The crisis prompted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to bring the general election forward to 22 July, instead of November.
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.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.
The BBC's Pam O'Toole says it is far from clear when - or if - a referendum on the government's reforms might go ahead.
As the constitution stands now, a referendum cannot be held until October - several months after the general election called by the AKP.
Meanwhile the staunchly secular main opposition party has asked the constitutional court to annul the government's reforms over a technical voting irregularity. If the court decides to do that, the referendum would no longer be necessary, our Turkey analyst says.
Critics maintain that the government's proposal for future presidents to be elected for two terms by popular mandate would lead to a far more powerful and political presidency than the current one, and that this would upset delicate checks and balances in Turkey's constitution.