67 journalists and writers, 132 academics as well as prominent lawyers, doctors and artists feature among the petitioners.

General Staff's declaration was regarded as a covered military coup threat against the government, following ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) intention to nominate a party member to the country's top position as president.

"General Staff's declaration is an open threat to democracy and constitute a crime according to our law. We openly reject this declaration" said the petitioners, adding that the current political crisis is a result of the 1982 Constitution prepared after the military coup two years ago.

They urged for an electoral law reform regarding the principles for a pluralist, libertarian, conciliatory, democratic and secular society, respecting a fair representation at the parliament.

"Otherwise, such crisis would emerge in the future", they said.

Following the General Staff's threatening declaration, the AKP failed to gather enough MPs at the parliament for a valid presidential election.

Opposition parties boycotted the elections and a Constitutional Court ruling rendered the election void, despite the AKP's majority at the parliament.

As the parliament failed to elect a president, the government decided for early general elections, trying to push forward with a constitutional reform to make the public elect the next president via direct vote.

This preposition also met with strong reaction and adding the five "republican meetings" which gathered hundreds of thousands of people protesting the government, the country's political scene is busy as ever.(EÜ)