Turkey to present draft constitution that would empower Erdogan
Turkey's government is expected on Saturday to present a draft constitution that would grant sweeping powers to the presidency, an office held by long-time leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Broadcaster CNN Turk reported the leadership of the ruling Islamic-conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) would hold a final meeting with the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) before the draft is presented in parliament.
The AKP needs MHP legislators to support the draft. While the ruling party has a majority in parliament - 316 votes in the 550-member house - putting the draft to a referendum requires at least 330 votes in favour.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has indicated that the changes include allowing the president to be a member of a political party, which would enable Erdogan to formally return to the leadership of the AKP.
The draft constitution would also grant the president sweeping executive powers to rule by decree and the ability to appoint ministers.
Parliament's role would be confined to legislative matters - with even the budget excluded - and a qualified majority would be needed to overrule the president, according to reports.
The centrist and leftist opposition oppose the draft, fearing a collapse of checks and balances as parliament is excluded from policy-making, and warning against the advent of a dictatorship.
Erdogan, who was prime minister for a decade before becoming president and is accused by critics of authoritarianism, is cracking down on the opposition and media, with over 120 journalists behind bars, among tens of thousands jailed since a coup attempt in July.
Under a state-of-emergency put in place after a failed military coup, Erdogan wields wide-ranging powers. The Council of Europe says mass dismissals and the liquidation of associations falls foul domestic and international law.