Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has congratulated his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) deputies for passing new changes to the constitution and pointed to Feb. 7 as the starting date of the referendum campaign.

"I want to see this group on Feb. 7 in the mood and full of energy, waiting to go to referendum campaigns," Prime Minister Yıldırım said during an AK Party parliamentary group meeting in Ankara.

Turkish lawmakers approved the long-debated constitutional changes early Saturday as deputies voted for the last of 18 articles. The Turkish Parliament also approved a two-week break on Saturday and deputies will be back on Feb. 7.

After a total of 339 deputies voted in favor of the bill, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's approval is expected in the coming days. If the president approves the bill, a referendum is likely to be held early April.

Yıldırım said that the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has immensely contributed to this process and that they would push for a "yes" vote across the country.

"We extend our greetings to MHP leader Mr. Devlet Bahçeli. He provided great support to this process, he stands by us," Yıldırım said.