Lawmakers cast their votes during the second round of debate in the proposed changes to the Turkish constitution, at the Turkish parliament in Ankara on January 21, 2017.

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Changes to the Constitution will be put to a referendum vote

Opponents fear the reforms will give too much power to Erdogan

CNN  — 

Turkish lawmakers approved a controversial package of constitutional reforms that would hand sweeping powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to state-run news agency Anadolu.

After almost three weeks of debate, the 18-article package – known as the “power bill” – was approved by 339 member of the Parliament early Saturday morning, Anadolu reports.

The new Constitution will now be put to referendum vote, likely to be held in April.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who also chairs Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, congratulated lawmakers for passing the constitutional changes according to Anadolu.

“People will have the final say,” Yildirim said.

If the referendum passes, the reforms will turn Turkey’s parliamentary system into a presidential one, effectively consolidating the power of three legislative bodies into one executive branch. It will 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.

The bill would also allow Erdogan – who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014 before becoming President – to extend his term in office until at least 2029.

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, possibly triggering snap elections.

Anadolu reports that changes to the Constitution require a simple majority, or 51 percent, in the referendum.

Opponents fear the reforms will give too much power to Erdogan.

The main opposition leader for the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu was quoted by Anadolu as asking Turkish citizens to oppose the referendum.

“The mistake that has been done in the Parliament can be revoked by the people.”

Tensions running high

Earlier in the week, Aylin Nazliaka handcuffed herself to a microphone and refused to leave the podium. She sparked a brawl between Turkey’s female lawmakers after she sought to “deliver a message to the world.”

Nazliaka claimed that as an independent lawmaker she was not given a voice and in her protest called on other female members of the opposition to support her, according to state media Anadolu.

Opposition lawmaker Aylin Nazliaka was escorted out of parliament following the fight.

Punches were thrown and one lawmaker with the CHP opposition party was hospitalized after she reportedly lost her prosthetic arm in the fracas, Anadolu reported.

Ruling Justice and Development Party and main opposition Republican People's Party lawmakers scuffle at the parliament in Ankara during deliberations over a controversial 18-article bill to change the constitution to create an executive presidency January 11, 2017.
Turkish lawmakers on Thursday approved three more articles in a hugely controversial bill bolstering the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as lawmakers brawled and threw objects in a session of high tension. A brawl erupted in the chamber as the voting took place in an overnight session, with lawmakers punching each another and chairs being thrown, television pictures showed.  / AFP / -        (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Brawl breaks out in Turkish parliament
00:46 - Source: CNN

It was the second time that lawmakers were seen brawling inside the Parliament since they began debating the controversial bill.

Last week, a fight broke out among some of the Parliament’s male lawmakers leaving one senior AKP lawmaker with a broken nose, according to state news agency Anadolu.

Erdogan’s rise to power

who is Recep Tayyip Erdogan anderson orig_00002718.jpg
Who is Recep Tayyip Erdogan?
01:53 - Source: CNN

Since an attempted coup in July, Erdogan has led an intense crackdown on government critics and those with alleged ties to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for the coup attempt.

Hundreds of military officers have been dismissed, roughly 11,000 teachers were suspended and many media organizations were shut down.

During a meeting of local leaders at the presidential palace in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan said 43,000 people have been arrested and 95,000 fired from state posts in relation to the coup attempt.

CNN’s Gul Tuysuz contributed to this report.