Turkish President to be elected by popular voteOctober 22, 2007 - 14:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - With 69.4% of votes 'for' and 30.5% 'against', Turks have backed the constitutional reforms. The appearance made 64.8%, AFP reported quoting the Turkish Supreme Election Committee. The law on "Making Amendments in Some Articles of the Republic of Turkey's Constitution," envisaging the election of the president directly by the people instead of Parliament, will give rise to major changes in the Turkish political system. The law will decrease the seven-year term of the president to five years and allow a president to be elected twice, while stipulating the holding of general elections every four years instead of the current five and decreasing the quorum required to hold a parliamentary session to 184. This last article provides a very clear answer to the Constitutional Court's condition of a 367-member quorum. Meanwhile, critics say the reform will complicate the work of state bodies, Lenta.ru reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. |