Europe

Turkey referendum on constitutional reforms set for April 16

Associated Press
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, left, salute supporters during a rally in Aksaray, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Erdogan on Friday approved holding a national referendum on constitutional reforms that would usher in a powerful presidency. Erdogan signed off on the bill, paving the way for the country's electoral board to set a date for the referendum. (Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Aksaray, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Erdogan on Friday approved holding a national referendum on constitutional reforms that would usher in a powerful presidency. Erdogan signed off on the bill, paving the way for the country's electoral board to set a date for the referendum.(Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters in Aksaray, Turkey, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Erdogan on Friday approved holding a national referendum on constitutional reforms that would usher in a powerful presidency. Erdogan signed off on the bill, paving the way for the country's electoral board to set a date for the referendum.(Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's electoral board has confirmed April 16 as the date of a national referendum on constitutional reforms aimed at creating a powerful presidency.

The High Electoral Board chief Sadi Guven says the date was determined following the publication of the bill Saturday on Turkey's Official Gazette.

The reforms would grant the president the power to appoint government ministers and senior officials, dissolve parliament, declare states of emergency, issue decrees and appoint half of the members in the country's highest judicial body.

The proposal would also increase the number of parliamentarians from 550 to 600 and lowers the age of eligibility for parliamentary office from 25 to 18.