Talk Elections

Turkish MP handcuffs herself in parliament protesting Recep Tayyip Erdogan getting more executive powers

Proposed bill which would abolish the position of prime minister and possibly let Mr Erdogan stay in office until 2029 due to pass third vote in Turkey’s parliament on Friday

A Turkish politician has handcuffed herself to the rostrum in the parliament building in Ankara in protest against proposed legislative reforms that would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unprecedented executive powers.

Aylin Nazliaka, an independent MP, took to the speaker’s podium during a debate on articles in the lengthy proposed bill and attached herself to the microphone on Thursday.

The proposed reforms – which proponents in Mr Erdogan’s ruling AK party say are necessary to deal with Turkey’s fragile economic and security situations – would abolish the position of the prime minister, giving the sitting president the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, to once again become head of a political party, and possibly govern until 2029.