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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan spoke for the first time about the national referendum after parliament approved the constitutional reform package at the opening ceremony of a new metro line in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday.

The people will make the ultimate choice when we go to a referendum. I believe the people will vote for what is right," said Erdoan.

The constitutional reform bill was approved overnight with 339 votes in the 550-member assembly.

Turkish lawmakers approved a new Constitution early Saturday as deputies completed voting on 18 articles. A total of 339 MPs voted in favor of the law that will now head to a referendum that will likely be held in early April. The initial round of ballots on the reforms was completed after each passed with more than 340 votes. A second round of voting on the 18 articles began Wednesday after almost three weeks of debates in parliament. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who also chairs the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, congratulated lawmakers for passing the constitutional changes. People will have the final say," he told deputies. "We have done our job. Now we convey the issue to its real owner, our people," Yildirim said. "People's vote will be the most accurate one." Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli told lawmakers, "The Turkish nation will do its own evaluation and hopefully it will add to what have been achieved so far" But main opposition leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, urged Turks to "spoil the game that was played in the parliament. "The mistake that have been done in the parliament can be revoked by the people," Kilicdaroglu said. Proposed changes to the Constitution require a simple majority, or 51 percent, in the referendum.

The President called his supporters to work day in and day out" throughout the referendum campaign.

"My people will give the final decision... I believe this referendum period will conclude with the will of our people," said Erdoan.

The legislation aims to bring stability at a time of turmoil and unrest, and prevent the fragile coalitions of the past.

Erdoan said the metro line will be further developed to span across even more of Istanbul.

The Kadky-Tavantepe metro line that we are opening today expands Istanbul's rapid transit line of the metro to 150 kilometers. The part of the line that extends to Sabiha Gken Airport will be completed by 2019. It is our aim to expand Istanbul's metro line to 260 kilometers," he said.

The President also spoke about the rocket attacks that were launched on the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local headquartes on Friday.

They can attack AK Party as much as they want. We have devoted all we have to this path," he said.

The AK Party provincial head, Selim Temurci, reported that the rocket did not explode despite piercing the wall of the building and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).

Istanbul police arrested Saturday five suspects over the rocket attacks that targeted the provincial police headquarters and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party headquarters in Istanbul on Friday evening, a police source said. Security forces raided 15 addresses across Turkey's largest city, and five people were taken into custody over suspected links to the attackers, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said on Twitter late Friday that no one was injured in the attack on the police headquarters, and an investigation had been launched.No injuries were reported after the attack on the AK Party headquarters, according to a Twitter post by the group's provincial head, Selim Temurci on Friday.He told reporters later on Friday that the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). He also said two assailants were involved in the attack.

Rocket attacks Friday targeted police headquarters in Istanbul and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local headquarters. Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin said on Twitter that no one was injured in the police station attack and an investigation had been launched. No injuries were reported on the AK Party attack, according to a Twitter post by the group's provincial head, Selim Temurci. He later told reporters the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). He said two assailants were involved in the attack. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said terror groups carried out the attack on police headquarters. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was briefed about incidents by Temurci and the governor. Turkey's EU Minister posted a condemnation of the attacks on social media. "While terror targets our people and security services, it also targets politics and tries to influence decision making mechanisms," Omer Celik said on Twitter. "Terror is ideologically nourished by placing itself in between the societyamp;politics. Thus, it tries to seize society's right to administer." He said strong bonds between society and politics are "the biggest barriers terror can't overcome. "Politics relying on society is our greatest foundation," he said. "Turkey, w/ its vast experience, sees through the ideological amp; political agenda behind terror. Terror cannot have an influence on Turkey."

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The people will make the ultimate choice in the referendum: Erdoan - Yeni afak English

Ankara (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is closer to getting a power boost after parliament's first approval of a bill to change the constitution, but the flagging economy could present an unexpected roadblock.

The Turkish parliament approved late Sunday, on first reading, a bill to create an executive presidency like in France or the United States, but which critics fear will lead to one-man rule.

However, after a bloody 2016 during which hundreds of people were killed in multiple terror attacks and a failed coup last summer, the Turkish economy is losing momentum.

Unemployment is increasing, inflation is rising, economic growth is slowing down and the Turkish lira is reaching record lows against the US dollar.

Investor confidence has fallen while tourism has dramatically dropped with holidaymakers avoiding the country last year because of the violence and political instability.

This is in stark contrast to the booming Turkish economy under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), co-founded by Erdogan, since 2002.

One of the main reasons for Erdogan and the AKP's continued electoral success was this boom that followed the 2001 financial crisis. It even made itself known with a new lira that no longer had six extra zeros introduced in 2005.

From fast trains connecting big cities to new bridges, large hospitals to the development of long-neglected central Turkish cities, the AKP ploughed money into areas that had not seen such rapid development.

The constitution plan has now gone to a second reading in the parliament on Wednesday where the 18 articles will again be debated one by one.

If approved again with 330 votes from the 550-seat parliament, it will go to a referendum, expected this spring, for the people to decide.

- 'A vote on Erdogan's leadership' -

Questions were raised this week over whether the worsening economy would affect Erdogan's chances of winning the public vote for constitutional changes.

Jean Marcou, professor at Sciences Po Grenoble and associate researcher at the French Institute of Anatolian Studies, said the current state of the economy could affect the AKP's voters.

But he noted that the government played the "security card" to create fear among the Turkish public, suggesting safety and peace could play a bigger role in people's decision.

Marcou said Erdogan presented himself as the leader to tackle the security troubles in the southeast where the state is fighting against Kurdish rebels, to rid the Islamic State group and battle against his former ally-turned-foe Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen whose movement is blamed for the July 15 attempted putsch.

Erdogan has also repeatedly urged Turks to change their foreign currency into lira to stimulate the currency which was at 3.78 against the greenback on Wednesday afternoon. Less than a month ago, it was 3.52 against the dollar.

The president attributed the dizzying fall of the lira to interference in the markets with elements he called "terrorists" aimed at "putting Turkey on its knees".

For Murat Yetkin, editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, it would be unlikely that the "economic difficulties of today will dramatically affect the result of the referendum" because the vote is about Erdogan.

"If the country goes to a referendum, it will not be about the government or its economic programme. Many people will not even consider it as a radical shift in Turkey's administrative system, but 'Yes' or 'No' to Erdogan's leadership."

- 'Relative prosperity' -

According to Ilter Turan, emeritus professor of political science at Istanbul's Bilgi University, when the people decide on the changes, their motivations will be varied.

"Concerning the change of constitution, liking or not the government is not the only factor. In these times, the problems that Turkey has can end up in the rejection of the people," Turan told AFP.

The proposed changes, which would create an executive presidency for the first time in modern Turkey, are controversial and far-reaching.

The president would have the power to appoint and fire ministers, while the post of prime minister will be abolished for the first time in Turkey's history.

Instead, there would be a vice president, or possibly several.

According to Jean-Francois Perouse, director of the French Institute of Anatolian Studies in Istanbul, there still remained the belief that if the electorate does not support Erdogan, this would "jeopardise relative prosperity".

"It remains to be seen whether explanations provided by Erdogan (on the economy) will convince people, and given the public's state of mind, they can convince," Perouse said.

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Erdogan faces weak economy in path to greater power - Yahoo News

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 speakers 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 Erdogans ruling AK party say are necessary to deal with Turkeys 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.

Opposition politicians and democracy activists have said the bill is dangerously close to a form of authoritarianism.

Ms Nazliakas protest on Thursday forced parliaments deputy speaker to suspend the discussion on the proposed constitutional reforms for several hours, and eventually led to a fistfight between several female members of parliament which Turkish media said resulted intwo representatives being taken to hospital for their injuries.

During a recess called after Ms Nazliaka handcuffed herself, one MP unscrewed the microphone from the podium, leading to the physical confrontation between members of Mr Erdogans ruling AK party and the opposition.

Safak Pavey, a disabled MP from the main opposition party, told Hurriyet newspaper she was pushed to the ground by a ruling party member while a colleague was dragged by her hair.

Turkey's President Erdogan defends government action

Thursdays events marked the third time debate on the proposed amendments to Turkeys constitution have ended in a brawl.

A final vote on the proposals is expected Friday or Saturday. If approved by parliament, the reforms would be put to a national referendum.

Mr Erdogan has steadily consolidated his grip on power since his election to the largely ceremonial post of president in 2014.

There has been a particular crackdown on members of the opposition, academics, journalists and rights activists since a failed military coupin July last year, after which the government declared a state of emergency.

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

That might explain why the AK Party leadership is pushing the proposals through parliament as quickly as it can. But it is not just the MHPs grassroots that are disgruntled.

Many of Mr Erdoans former comrades-in-arms like his predecessor as president, Abdullah Gl are opposed to an executive presidency. Everyone knows that I see a parliamentary system as a better, more suitable system, Mr Gl told an audience at Londons Chatham House in November 2014. To be able to have that sort of a presidential regime, you need to check everything. You need to have your balances in the right place.

But these days, Mr Gl keeps very quiet. Such isthe extent of the crackdownfollowing last Julys coup attempt, and the environment of fear and intimidation,that not even an ex-president is willing to speak out.

Loved by one half and loathed by the other, Mr Erdoan is the countrys most divisive politician. He could squeeze out a victory in Aprils referendum. That result would strip away the few powers that keep him in check. For Turkeys massive, disenchanted minority, that result would leave no hope.

Michael Daventry is a Turkish journalist based in London and editor of the Turkish community newspaper Haber

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan is about to make himself a virtual dictator in Turkey - Telegraph.co.uk

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Erdogan Says Troops Will Be in Cyprus 'Forever,' Complicating Hopes of Reuniting - New York Times