Turkish government wavers on plan to curb power of judges
Government may backtrack on proposal to curb judges' powers as demonstrators call for 'revolution' over probe into alleged bribery
The Turkish government has signalled it may back down on its contentious bid to curb judges' powers as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Turkey's capital, Ankara, in protest against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, which has been rocked by a corruption probe.
Turkey's justice minister said that the government might abandon a reform package which would give it more powers over the appointment of judges and prosecutors.
"If political party groups come together ... and reach a consensus, the proposal could be halted," local media quoted Bekir Bozdag as saying.
Scuffles had broken out ahead of a second round of debate on the proposals in parliament's justice commission on Saturday, with local media reporting that politicians threw punches, water bottles and an iPad.
Erdogan's ruling AKP party moved to tighten its grip over the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors. That was slapped down by the top judicial body itself as unconstitutional and sparked criticism from the United States and the European Union. As Erdogan arrived home after a week-long tour to Asia, about 20,000 protesters gathered at Ankara's major Sihhiye Square, chanting "revolution will clean this filth" and "they are thieves".
Some protesters handed out fake dollars with Erdogan's photo on them.
The corruption scandal implicating allies of Erdogan has rattled his government to its core, and poses the biggest challenge to his 11-year rule.
