Turkey parliament passes contentious poll pact bill

ANKARA, Mar 13 (AFP): The Turkish parliament on Tuesday passed a controversial bill on electoral law which critics argue will favour President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party ahead of next year's double elections.

The 26-article bill was approved in a marathon night-long session of parliament, with ruling party and opposition lawmakers engaged in a short burst of fist fighting.

The bill lifts a ban on electoral alliances, opening the door for a pact between Erdogan's Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the right-wing Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).