January 2017

Can Turkey’s president dissolve parliament under constitutional reform?

2017-01-30 06:37 GMT
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Domestic Politics
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On 24 January 2017, an article on Turkey's constitutional reform bill which is currently being debated was published in the Washington Post. Throughout the article the author repeated three times the claim that Turkey's prospective presidents will be able to dissolve the parliament:

1) " In contrast, the president could dissolve the parliament at his will and call for new elections."

What are Turkey's constitutional reform articles?

2017-01-26 12:21 GMT
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Domestic Politics
English

On 17 January 2017, a constitutional reform bill consisting of 18 articles was presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). The proposed bill includes an amendment in Turkey's governance system. The parliament passed the bill which foresaw a presidential system for Turkey, removing the current parliamentary system. Proponents of presidency see the current parliamentary system as the underlying reason for the long-term political and economic instability in Turkey. By contrast, opponents of the bill think that it will amount to an authoritarian rule.

Claim: Erdogan to be president until 2034

2017-01-17 08:41 GMT
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Domestic Politics
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On 11 January 2017, an article published in the Middle East Eye claimed that running for president for three terms, each lasting five years, will be possible according to the bill on constitutional change, giving Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an opportunity to rule until 2034, with his current term ending in 2019.

Claim: Turkish government fears granting minorities rights

2017-01-13 06:21 GMT
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Domestic Politics
English

On 5 January 2017, an article published by Foreign Affairs claimed that the Turkish government was timid about granting its Alevi minority their religious and cultural rights, anticipating that other minority groups in Turkey will also ask for their rights – the implication being that the Turkish government has not yet recognized minorities’ rights.

Why were protesters outside Turkish assembly dispersed?

2017-01-10 11:53 GMT
Posted in:
Domestic Politics
English

On 9 January 2017, a news article released by The New York Times reported that a group of protesters in the Turkish capital city of Ankara were scattered by law enforcers using teargas.

"As parliament started debating the measures in the capital, Ankara, on Monday, police officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd of protesters outside," the article said.

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