AK Party proposals would allow president to remain party member


After the ruling Justice and Development (AK Party) forwarded the draft constitution proposal to opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on Tuesday, details of the draft have since started to appear.

Sources said, according to the draft proposal, the president could now simultaneously be the chairman of a political party and would be allowed to participate in all party events and meetings. However, the president would not be able to join group meetings at the Parliament or attend the general assembly and will only be allowed to give a speech at the beginning of each year's legislative sessions. In addition, the president will not have an office within the Parliament's compound.

Meanwhile, only party members or members of the Parliament will be able to propose amendments, the government will not be allowed to participate in or interfere with the legislative. Due to this reason, the ministers will also be barred from parliamentary functions.

The trial system for ministers will also be overhauled. The proposal foresees the ministers benefiting from the immunity granted to the deputies. According to the proposed provisions, the ministers could now go through the same trial processes as the deputies thus the district attorneys would prepare summary of proceedings and submit it to Parliament.

Only when their immunities are removed, the ministers will face trial. Similarly, the end of their term will automatically lift their immunities, rendering them eligible for the legal processes.