Tuğrul Türkeş

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has begun discussing a potential charter referendum after Turkey's parliament concluded a first round of voting on constitutional amendments late on Jan. 15 with the approval of the last two items in an 18-article package, paving the way for the start of a second round on Jan. 18.

Turkey's parliament concluded the first round of voting on constitutional amendments late on Jan. 15 with the approval of the last two items of an 18-article package, paving the way for the start of a second round on Jan. 18.

It was Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chair Devlet Bahçeli who first ignited the early election debates. He said if the constitutional offers are not processed in the parliament, if the parliament is blocked then they will "take it to the nation" to decide.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has ruled out any possible change to the Turkish constitution's first four articles, which state the essential tenets of the Republic, following a recent controversial remark by a Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy on the issue. 

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are in full agreement on the constitutional charter, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has said after AKP lawmakers' concerns about the constitution prompted the leaders of the two parties to convene to discuss potential revisions.

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım had another meeting on Dec. 26 with Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), with whom he is cooperating on the constitutional draft that proposes axing the parliamentarian system in Turkey and ushering in an executive presidency, as targeted by President Tayyip Erdoğan.

A ceremony was held on Dec. 20 at Ankara's Esenboğa Airport ahead of the departure of the body of assassinated Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov, who was shot dead by a Turkish police officer during the opening of an exhibition on Dec. 19. 

An 18-member Russian delegation composed of security officials, prosecutors and autopsy experts arrived in Ankara on Dec. 20 to probe the killing of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov and repatriate his body to Moscow. 

An 18-member Russian delegation composed of security officials, prosecutors and autopsy experts arrived in Ankara on Dec. 20 to probe the killing of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov and repatriate his body to Moscow. 

The plane is expected to depart from Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 4 p.m. local time after the accomplishment of procedures by Turkish and Russian authorities. 

There are "no problems" in the constitution talks between Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) head Devlet Bahçeli, the latter has said, responding to speculation on disagreements between the sides in the ongoing negotiations.
 
"There are no problems," Bahçeli said late on Dec. 5 after a surprise meeting with Yıldırım that lasted for 15 minutes.