Controversial changes to Turkey’s constitution will be put to referendum

May 8, 2010 – 15:38 AMT 10:38 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net –

Controversial changes to Turkey’s constitution will be put to a
referendum after failing to win the support of two-thirds of lawmakers
to give them automatic effect.

The Islamic-leaning governing AK party wants more judges sitting in
the constitutional court. It also wants greater powers for parliament
and the president to appoint them. Critics say the changes amount to a
power grab. The court is seen as the guardian of Turkey’s secular
constitution. Under the changes, the military will become answerable
to civilian courts.

The current constitution was drafted in 1982 after a military coup.
The composition of the Turkish judiciary has been criticised by human
rights groups, Euronews reported.