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Ankara (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Wednesday to rapidly examine a constitutional bill that would expand his powers, ahead of an expected referendum in April on the controversial legislation.

Erdogan's signature would be the final executive step in the adoption of the bill ahead of the public vote, a date for which Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said would be announced this week.

Parliament approved on Saturday the new 18-article constitution, which would create an executive presidency for the first time in Turkey, in the final of two readings.

Brawls erupted in parliament during debates over the bill, which critics fear will lead to one-man rule.

The changes are the most far-reaching constitutional shift since the creation of modern Turkey in 1923.

Erdogan told journalists in Madagascar during a tour of east Africa that he would make his decision on the bill "without delaying too much because the people are waiting for this".

The referendum would be held 60 days after Erdogan's formal approval is published in the Official Gazette, Yildirim said, adding that the date for the plebiscite was expected to be announced this week by the Supreme Election Council (YSK).

"I think it will be in the first half of April, a suitable date would be up until the 20th (of April)," he said.

- 'Decide at once' -

The new constitution would give the head of state the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. There would be no longer a prime minister but instead one or more vice presidents.

Turkish officials have dismissed concerns over the legislation, saying the changes are needed to bring in effective government in a system similar to the United States or France.

But the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) said it would challenge the bill in the constitutional court, an action which Erdogan dismissed as an irrelevance.

"We don't have the right for any preventative action (or) to say 'why are you going there?' in this regard," he said.

"I hope that the constitutional court will at once give its decision on this issue as well."

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has only 317 seats in the 550-seat parliament and sought the support of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to pass the bill in two readings earlier this month.

But Yildirim insisted there would be no "joint campaign" with the MHP to get a "Yes" vote for the changes.

He defended the bill, saying MPs' powers would be "strengthened" and that they would still have the right to bring draft laws to parliament.

Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan also said a presidential system would speed up the decision-making process for infrastructure projects in an interview with the state-run Anadolu news agency on Wednesday.

While Yildirim was speaking the lira plunged to 3.82 against the US dollar, a loss of over one percent on the day, amid fears of continued political instability.

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Erdogan vows to rapidly tackle new Turkey constitution bill - Yahoo News

Anadolu Agency

Theresa May to meet Turkey's President Erdogan BBC News Theresa May will visit Turkey on Saturday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Downing Street has said. The prime minister is expected to discuss trade, defence and security. Mrs May is likely to fly to Ankara from the US, where she is ... Turkey ready to share its know-how with Africa: ErdoganAnadolu Agency Theresa May to meet Recep Erdogan in TurkeyITV News Theresa May urged to raise human rights concerns in talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe Independent Peeblesshire News -Voice of America all 107 news articles »

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Theresa May to meet Turkey's President Erdogan - BBC News

De facto, Turkey already has a presidential system. And a directly elected, notionally ceremonial president in Recep Tayyip Erdogan who regards the state as a personal fiefdom and who, for some time, has wanted to make that reality de jure. New powers which the parliament agreed over the weekend should be devolved to him and which will be put to referendum as constitutional changes will also repeal current term limits and allow Erdogan to serve until 2029. If, that is, the voters re-elect him a couple of times. This is a likely prospect as he basks in near all-time high popularity ratings.

The reform Bill was approved on Saturday by 339 votes in the 550-member assembly after a rancorous debate marked by fistfights. Three MPs were hospitalised and one opposition member lost her artificial arm in a brawl. Erdogans AKP supported the measures, backed by far-right nationalists of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Its passage was eased by the fact that he has jailed 11 MPs of the liberal Kurdish HDP.

The amendments would enable the president to issue decrees, declare emergency rule, appoint ministers, judges and top state officials, abolish the prime ministers office, and dissolve parliament. The opposition says these power strip away balances to Erdogans power. They will also allow the president to resume his notionally vacated leadership of the AKP.

Erdogan already holds many of the new powers by virtue of the emergency legislation enacted after an attempted coup in July. Since then he has had 100,000 state employees fired and jailed more than 40,000, including currently some 80 journalists. The president has hinted that he will now also back parliamentary moves to reintroduce the death penalty, a move that could decisively end any prospect of Turkish EU accession.

Despite understandable concern in the EU not to undermine the willingness of Turkey to halt the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean, it is crucial that the opposition of member states to the gross erosion of human rights and democratic standards is heard loud and clear.

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Turkey: Erdogan uses the state to build a bigger personal fiefdom - Irish Times

After almost three weeks of debate, the 18-article package -- known as the "power bill" -- was approved by 339 member of the Parliament early Saturday morning, Anadolu reports.

The new Constitution will now be put to referendum vote, likely to be held in April.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who also chairs Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, congratulated lawmakers for passing the constitutional changes according to Anadolu.

"People will have the final say," Yildirim said.

If the referendum passes, the reforms will turn Turkey's parliamentary system into a presidential one, effectively consolidating the power of three legislative bodies into one executive branch. It will abolish the role of Prime Minister while granting authority to the President to issue law, declare states of emergency, dismiss Parliament and to appoint ministers, public officials and half of the senior judges.

The bill would also allow Erdogan -- who served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2014 before becoming President -- to extend his term in office until at least 2029.

The role of President is largely ceremonial under the current Constitution. In order to become President in the new system, Erdogan would have to be reelected after the constitutional changes kick in, possibly triggering snap elections.

Anadolu reports that changes to the Constitution require a simple majority, or 51 percent, in the referendum.

Opponents fear the reforms will give too much power to Erdogan.

The main opposition leader for the Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu was quoted by Anadolu as asking Turkish citizens to oppose the referendum.

"The mistake that has been done in the Parliament can be revoked by the people."

Earlier in the week, Aylin Nazliaka handcuffed herself to a microphone and refused to leave the podium. She sparked a brawl between Turkey's female lawmakers after she sought to "deliver a message to the world."

Nazliaka claimed that as an independent lawmaker she was not given a voice and in her protest called on other female members of the opposition to support her, according to state media Anadolu.

Punches were thrown and one lawmaker with the CHP opposition party was hospitalized after she reportedly lost her prosthetic arm in the fracas, Anadolu reported.

It was the second time that lawmakers were seen brawling inside the Parliament since they began debating the controversial bill.

Since an attempted coup in July, Erdogan has led an intense crackdown on government critics and those with alleged ties to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for the coup attempt.

Hundreds of military officers have been dismissed, roughly 11,000 teachers were suspended and many media organizations were shut down.

During a meeting of local leaders at the presidential palace in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan said 43,000 people have been arrested and 95,000 fired from state posts in relation to the coup attempt.

CNN's Gul Tuysuz contributed to this report.

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Turkish lawmakers approve bill boosting Erdogan's power - CNN

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan arrived in Tanzania on Sunday for a two-day official visit, where he is expected to meet with his counterpart John Magufuli and other local officials.

Erdoan was welcomed at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) by Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, and Yasemin Eralp, Turkish ambassador to Tanzania.

On Monday, President Magufuli will host Erdogan. A joint news conference will follow.

Before departing for Tanzania, Erdogan said Turkey intended to establish embassies in all African countries.

Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Erdogan said the goal was to have closer ties with all African states, a process he said started back in 2005 which was declared "Year of Africa" by the Turkish government.

Turkey was granted observer status by the African Union the same year.

"Our goal is to have embassies in all African countries, and turn Africa into a continent with which we have much closer bilateral ties," he said.

The official visit is part of Erdogan's five-day East Africa tour. He will visit Mozambique on Jan. 24 and Madagascar on Jan. 25- 26.

Erdoan visited Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, Kenya and Uganda in 2016.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan will embark on a five-day tour to East Africa Monday. The trip will include a visit to Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar. 'First such visit to Madagascar' Erdoan, whose visit to Madgascar will be the first by a Turkish President, is expected to hold meetings with his counterparts in the 3 African countries. Meetings at the ministerial level are also planned to take place.Tanzania tackles FET-run schools issue In addition to discussing bilateral relations and economic cooperation during the visits, an exchange of views on African, regional and international issues and developments is expected to take place. Business cooperation deals are to be signed individually with these countries within the context of the visits. Additionally, business forums are planned to take place in each of the 3 countries during the visits. 'Visit aims to enhance cooperation' Erdoan's upcoming tour builds on what has been achieved during the President's previous visits to Africa in years past, and demonstrates a concrete will to reinforce political partnerships with African nations and deepen cooperation on the continent.

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President Erdoan lands in Tanzania for 2-day visit - Yeni afak English