Turkey starts preparations for referendum

The Turkish government started preparations for a general referendum
on the Turkish Constitution, Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said, Trend reports, citing the Hurriyet newspaper.

The Turkish parliament was supposed to consider the amendments to the
Constitution. If Turkish deputies abandon the amendments the
government will hold a general referendum on the issue.

The amendments include the prolongation of the presidential term, and
the renomination of a president whose term of office has expired,
ombudsmen work, and the process of closing down political parties.