Posted on 08/24/2010 8:51:40 AM PDT by markomalley
ANKARA, Turkey, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara is seeking to destroy the balance of power through constitutional reforms, an opposition leader said.
Ankara is considering a package of 26 proposals to amend a constitution drafted under the military authority that followed a coup in 1980. The amendments to the Turkish constitution would change the structure of the court system by moving the power from the military and into the hands of the president and prime minister, both from the ruling Justice and Development Party.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, said in an interview with German news magazine Der Spiegel that the reforms were authoritarian.
"The government's draft proposal would essentially eliminate the balance of powers," he complained.
Apart from reforms meant to move Ankara closer to membership in the European Union, Turkish leaders are attempting to resolve long-standing issues with the Kurdish minority.
Despite differences over administrative and cultural issues in Turkey, the opposition leader said he would never sit down with the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party.
"They are terrorists," he said.
Kilicdaroglu was appointed as leader of his party in May.
At least they have the decency not bill it as “comprehensive reform”.
Thanks markomalley.
This is a very smart move:
Kilicdaroglu’s amnesty call sparks mixed reactions in politics A green light from Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu for a general amnesty for members of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has sparked mixed reactions in Turkish politics, with most politicians harshly criticizing the opposition leader for trying to pave the way for a pardon for terrorists who participated in bloody acts against civilians and security forces.
In his hometown of Tunceli on Wednesday, Kilicdaroglu said a “no” vote in the Sept. 12 referendum on the constitutional amendment package would clear the way for a general amnesty for everyone. The CHP leader’s call also concerns hundreds of members of the terrorist PKK who are currently in prison on charges of terrorism and separatism. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed the CHP leader for his general amnesty remarks, asking him from where he derived the authority to suggest such a radical notion. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-220283-103-kilicdaroglus-amnesty-call-sparks-mixed-reactions-in-politics.html
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