Erdogan approves constitutional change boosting his powers: deputy PM

Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday approved constitutional changes boosting his powers, paving the way for a referendum on the issue, the deputy prime minister said.

The referendum "is planned to take place on April 16," Numan Kurtulmus said in comments broadcast on state-run TRT television. "God willing, Turkey will start a new era on the evening of April 16."