What happens if Turkey passes Erdogan’s ‘power bill’? – CNN
Turkish lawmakers begin a second round of voting Wednesday on controversial reforms that would hand sweeping powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The 18-article constitutional reform package -- put forward by Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) -- would turn Turkey's parliamentary system into a presidential one, effectively consolidating the power of three legislative bodies into one executive branch with the president as its head.
The reforms would also 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. It's known as the "power bill."
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.
Parliament can change the constitution directly if the bill gets 367 yes votes -- a two-thirds majority -- in the 550-seat assembly. But if the bill only gets between 330 and 366 votes, it must be put to the public in a referendum.
The AKP holds 317 seats and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has 39. Both parties support the changes -- so if all of their members vote yes, they will have 356 votes in favor.
As of Sunday, the AKP had secured more than 330 votes required for the reform package to progress to the next round.
Turkey's main opposition parties -- the Republican People's party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) -- are against the bill, and the atmosphere in parliament is tense.
After the brawl, the measure was passed, leading the way for further reforms later in the week.
If the bill is passed with the current amount of support it has in Parliament, it will be put to a referendum, likely in April. If the outcome of the referendum is also a yes, it could potentially catapult Turkey into snap elections.
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.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says elections will be held in 2019 as scheduled.
Opponents fear the reforms will give too much power to Erdogan.
How did Turkey get to this point? Here's a look back at some of the key moments that defined Erdogan's political rise and that helped to lay the groundwork for this historic vote.
CNN's Gul Tuysuz contributed to this report.
More:
What happens if Turkey passes Erdogan's 'power bill'? - CNN
- Erdogan says Turkey seeks to join a post-UNIFIL security force in Lebanon - The Times of Israel - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan And Sunni Pact Vying To Displace Iran In Mideast Power Role - Forbes - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- 'Terror-Free Trkiye' initiative to gain momentum with parliamentary action: Erdogan - TRT World - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Trump on Erdogan, Netanyahu and selling fighter jets to Turkiye - Al Jazeera - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan Says Turkey Wants To Join New Lebanon Security Initiative After UNIFIL Ends - NewsCord - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Any plan that ignores Turkish-Cypriot rights doomed: Erdogan - Arab News - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Turkey aims to sign energy deal with Iraq soon, Erdogan says - Investing.com - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan says Turkey could get 1M barrels of oil a day from energy deal with Iraq - morning-times.com - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan Shows Europe Why NATO Needs Turkeys Clout on Defense - Bloomberg.com - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Trump's ties to Erdogan sold him on this year's NATO summit. Turkey may win big in other ways - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Erdogan's warm ties with Trump offer Turkey an edge ahead of NATO summit - Ottumwa Courier - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Turkish comedian sent to jail to await trial on charges of insulting Erdogan - SRN News - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Stand-up comic in court accused of insulting Islam and Erdogan in Turkey crackdown - Yahoo - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Erdogan's warm ties with Trump offer Turkey an edge ahead of NATO summit - Oskaloosa Herald - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Why Turkey arrested a comedian over alleged 'insults' to Islam and Erdogan - Firstpost - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Turkish comedian jailed over viral stand up show insulting President Erdogan - The Independent - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Turkish comedian arrested over insulting Islam and Erdogan What Turkeys law says - WION - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Trump-Erdogan ties strengthen Turkey's hand ahead of NATO summit - Dhaka Tribune - July 3rd, 2026 [July 3rd, 2026]
- Netanyahu to Erdogan: "Calm Down" 4 Centuries of Ottoman Rule Are Over - Greek City Times - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Natos bad boy Erdogan is back on our side - The Times - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan: Israels hands are stained with the blood of innocents - Middle East Monitor - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Netanyahu: Erdogan calling for Israel's destruction is taken 'very seriously,' we will alert US to remarks - The Times of Israel - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan pushes for Turkish role in European defence ahead of NATO summit - Euractiv - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan Fires Back at Israel: In Our History, There Is No Genocide - GreekReporter.com - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan rejected Israel's intention to recognize the Armenian genocide and accused the country of deaths in Gaza - () - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Turkey must be included in European security structures, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Turkey must be included in European security structures: Erdogan ahead of NATO summit - Al Arabiya English - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan accuses Israel of using the Armenian genocide to hide its "barbarity" in Gaza - Demcrata - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Analysis Will Israel's recognition of the Armenian genocide be Erdogan's final straw? - Haaretz - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- Erdogan urges NATO to build security network 'from Texas to Ankara' - middle-east-online.com - July 1st, 2026 [July 1st, 2026]
- A Turkish reporter fled Erdogan's grip. Then he met the hitman sent to kill him - Haaretz - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Trump claims he stopped great leader Erdogan from bringing Turkey into war on Irans side - The Times of Israel - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- 'I asked him to stay out of it': Trump says Erdogan kept Turkey from joining Iran in war - Ynetnews - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Analysis Trump blows wind in Erdogan's sails as Turkey advances regional ambitions - Haaretz - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Trumps Attempt To Make Erdogan Very Happy Rankles Members of Congress - The New York Sun - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Trump says Erdogan is the reason he's attending NATO summit in Trkiye - Apa.az - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Trump claims he stopped great leader Erdogan from bringing Turkey into Iran war - The Times of Israel - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- ISIS operative reveals contacts with Erdogan government and assassination plots in Turkey - Nordic Monitor - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Trump says Erdogan is the reason he's attending NATO summit, hints at F-35 deal - Trkiye Today - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan says dialogue with Kurds prevented 'insidious' Iran offensive - The New Region - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Turkey working on legislation to speed up militant PKK's disbandment, Erdogan says - Reuters - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Trump: I asked Erdogan, Xi, Putin to stay out of Iran - Breakingthenews.net - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan Signals Likely Meeting With Trump At NATO Summit In Turkey - Arise News - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan and Trump: A Bilateral Meeting at the Ankara NATO Summit - Devdiscourse - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Ankara to gain global diplomatic prominence with NATO, Turkic summits: Trkiye's Erdogan - TRT World - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan and Nawrocki pledge to seek a rapid diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war - mezha.net - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan says Trkiye, Poland aim to deepen cooperation ahead of NATO summit - Anadolu Ajans - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan: Turkey committed to boosting ties with EU - Breakingthenews.net - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan: Iran should be wary of potential sabotage - Breakingthenews.net - June 24th, 2026 [June 24th, 2026]
- Erdogan: Talks to resume on the reopening of Halki Theological School - Orthodox Times - June 22nd, 2026 [June 22nd, 2026]
- Ecumenical Patriarch Meets with Erdogan as Talks on Halki Reopening Enter New Stage - Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate - June 22nd, 2026 [June 22nd, 2026]
- Erdogan warns world entered era where weak end up 'on the menu' - Trkiye Today - June 22nd, 2026 [June 22nd, 2026]
- PM Wong, President Erdogan reaffirm warm, longstanding ties between Singapore, Turkey - The Straits Times - June 22nd, 2026 [June 22nd, 2026]
- Turkish President Erdogan Meets with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew to Discuss the Reopening of HalkiWhy Is This Important? - ZENIT - English - June 22nd, 2026 [June 22nd, 2026]
- How Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reshaping the Turkish republic - The Jerusalem Post - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Venezuelas Delcy Rodrguez holds talks in Turkey with Erdogan on trade, energy and mining - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Erdogan: Israel's strikes on Lebanon and Syria threaten Turkey, its 'aggression' must be stopped - The Times of Israel - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Venezuelas Delcy Rodrguez holds talks in Turkey with Erdogan on trade, energy and mining - The Killeen Daily Herald - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Erdogan vows Ankara NATO summit will become alliance landmark - Trkiye Today - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Erdogan warns of firm response to threats against Trkiye in Eastern Mediterranean - Trkiye Today - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Erdogan Boasts Ottoman Legacy: Our Ancestors Were in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caucasus - Greek City Times - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Why Turkeys Youth Have Had Enough of the Erdogan Regime - The National Interest - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Erdogan and Putin, the End of an Unlikely Partnership - Middle East Institute - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Erdogan Says Peace Process Will Strengthen Trkiyes Security and Future - Kurdistan24 - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Turkey shelves Blue Homeland bill before NATO summit, but Erdogan will keep it as election card - Nordic Monitor - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Trkiye's strategy of 'eliminating terrorism at its source' proving effective: Erdogan - TRT World - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Erdogan, Venezuela's Rodriguez discuss trade, energy cooperation in Istanbul - Trkiye Today - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Erdogan Pledges Deeper Cooperation with Venezuela on Energy and Mining - energynews.pro - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- FM Fidan to represent Erdogan at Southeast Europe summit in Sofia - Trkiye Today - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Venezuelas Delcy Rodrguez holds talks in Turkey with Erdogan on trade, energy and mining - The Independent - June 10th, 2026 [June 10th, 2026]
- Venezuelas Delcy Rodriguez to visit Turkey for talks with Erdogan - Middle East Eye - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Erdogan and Putin, the End of an Unlikely Partnership - The New York Times - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- Erdogan Said To Have Positive View Regarding Initiatives for New Cyprus Talks - The National Herald - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- As Erdogan Considers a Third Term, Trkiye Approaches an Inflection Point - The Soufan Center - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- First Turkmen governor of Kirkuk in 102 years meets Erdogan, eyes Baghdad ministry - Trkiye Today - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- No end to financial crises without fairer global economy, Erdogan warns - TRT World - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- Trkiye resisting bid to reshape region through bloodshed: Erdogan - TRT World - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- Putin and Erdogan are playing with fire in the Balkans and the Caucasus - The Spectator Australia - June 7th, 2026 [June 7th, 2026]
- Erdogan warns against new escalation as Oman holds Hormuz navigation talks with Iran - Trkiye Today - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Trkiye ready to support peace efforts, Erdogan tells Pezeshkian - Yeni Safak English - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]