Turkish parliament votes on lifting MPs' immunity

Second round of voting could see proposal put to public referendum

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s parliament convened on Friday for a final round of voting on a temporary constitutional clause which would remove certain lawmakers' immunity from prosecution.

The Grand National Assembly met at 10.00 a.m. (GMT 07.00) under Speaker Ismail Kahraman to vote on introducing two temporary amendments into the constitution.

This could remove protection from prosecution from 138 members of the Grand National Assembly’s 550 deputies.

The targeted lawmakers, who come from all four parliamentary parties, have had a total of 667 criminal proceedings lodged against them.

The two amendments will be voted on separately and together in the 550-seat parliament.

Friday’s measure will need at least 330 votes to be approved by parliament, before going on to a public referendum. If 367 deputies or more vote yes, then it will be presented to the president for approval.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, which has 316 seats, and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has 40 seats, are both backing the bill.

Kaynak:

This news has been read 434 times in total