Turkey lawmakers narrowly pass contested constitutional amendments, will likely get referendum

Turkish lawmakers pass constitutional amendments

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s parliament has narrowly passed a series of fiercely contested constitutional amendments that include putting military commanders before civilian courts and giving parliament a say in appointing judges.

The president is now widely expected to submit the measures to a referendum this summer since the 336 votes in favor of the amendments on Friday were short of the 367 required votes in the 550-seat assembly to adopt the proposals outright.

The government says the amendments strengthen democracy, expand the rights of women and children and enshrine the right to privacy.

Opposition parties argue some measures would dilute judges’ powers and increase the government’s sway over the largely secular judiciary.