Erdogan announced plans to “immediately” to discuss the imposition of the death penalty
After the referendum in Turkey may be officially introduced and institutionalized the death penalty, said the President of the Republic Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Data processing of ballots indicate that for changes in the country’s Constitution on Sunday in favor of more than 50% of the population.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a meeting held Sunday, April 16, a referendum in the country’s government will begin to consider the need for the introduction of the death penalty, Reuters reports.
During a speech to journalists at his presidential residence in Ankara the head of state said that he intends immediately to discuss returning to the Constitution the death penalty with Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Chairman of the opposition nationalist movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli.
Reuters points out that such a step would mean the collapse of negotiations on Turkey’s membership in the European Union, which the country conducted since the beginning of 2000-ies
Erdogan added that it is possible to hold a new referendum on the death penalty. The President reminded that the Turkish people resisted during the attempted coup in July 2016 and “suffered defeat”.
The death penalty in Turkey was not carried out since 1984. In 2004, Erdogan formally abolished this penalty with the aim of implementation of the plan for entering the country in the European Union. Discussions about the introduction of the death penalty was resumed after a coup attempt in 2016. Erdogan has repeatedly noted the need to legalize the death penalty in order to punish all those involved in the coup.
The referendum Erdogan called a prerequisite for “critical reforms” in the country’s history. Sunday, April 16, 51,23% of Turkish citizens voted for the transition from a parliamentary form of government that existed since the establishment of the Turkish Republic, to the presidential. This means the extension of the incumbent President Erdogan will be able to appoint Ministers, to issue decrees, declare a state of emergency and dissolve the Parliament, and the abolition of the post of Prime Minister. Opponents of the transition to the new system of management gained 48,77% of the vote.