Turkish parliament adopts constitutional reform in first round

Turkey's parliament has voted in favor in a first round ballot on a constitutional bill that will extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

The assembly approved the final 18th article of the package late on Sunday and according to parliament regulations will now take a two-day break from the talks before a second round of voting during which any changes to the articles will be debated.   If parliament gives final approval to the constitutional package it will be put to a referendum expected in the spring.   The reform will enable the president to issue decrees and will allow him to be a member of a political party. The plans envisage presidential and general elections in 2019 with a president eligible to serve a maximum two five-year terms, Reuters recalls.   The bill needs the support of at least 330 deputies in the 550-seat assembly to go to a referendum. The AKP has 316 deputies eligible to vote and the MHP 39.