New Turkish parliament plans constitutional reforms

(AGI) Istanbul, Nov 17 - The newly elected Turkish parliament,the 26th in the history of the republic, convened in Ankara at3 p.m. on Tuesday (2 p.m. CET). It was the first session afterthe Nov. 1 elections. Deniz Baykal, of the Republican People'sParty, the eldest member of parliament, will act as speakeruntil a speaker is appointed. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutogluemphasised the need to reform the constitution, which wasdrafted after the 1980 coup d'etat. "Turkey's priority is nowto approve a new Constitutional Charter. We cannot go forwardwith a constitution written by coup plotters and no trace ofdemocratic spirit," he said. He hoped the charter would bebased on human dignity and liberal principles, in line withchanges underway in Turkey. The AKP ruling party won 317 of the550 seats with 49.5 percent of the votes, 9 percent up fromelections on June 7. The constitution states that in order tocall a confirmative referendum, constitutional reforms must bepassed with a majority of at least 330 votes. President RecepTayyip Erdogan took part in the swearing in ceremony. (AGI) . .