Turkey Votes ‘Yes’ Granting Erdogan Nearly Unlimited Powers Over The Turkish People
The referendum has bitterly divided the nation. Erdogan and his
supporters say the changes are needed to amend the current constitution,
written by generals following a 1980 military coup, confront the
security and political challenges Turkey faces, and avoid the fragile
coalition governments of the past.
supporters say the changes are needed to amend the current constitution,
written by generals following a 1980 military coup, confront the
security and political challenges Turkey faces, and avoid the fragile
coalition governments of the past.
April 16, 2017
Turks
vote in a hotly contested referendum on Sunday that could place
sweeping new powers in the hands of President Tayyip Erdogan and herald
the most radical change to the country’s political system in its modern
history.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Turkey ‘s Islamist president loves to surround himself in the bold red, black and white colors so associated with Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party. He also loves to raise his hands in a gesture reminiscent of the Nazi “hiel” salute. Hitler seized ultimate power when he asked the German citizenry to vote on the Enabling Act
in 1933. Today, Erdogan walks in those same footsteps as the Turks vote
on granting the same type of powers to him. Is history repeating
itself? The outcome of today’s vote will decide that.
in 1933. Today, Erdogan walks in those same footsteps as the Turks vote
on granting the same type of powers to him. Is history repeating
itself? The outcome of today’s vote will decide that.
UPDATED 4:46 PM EST 04162017: Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory on Sunday in a historic
referendum that will tighten his grip on power, but the knife-edge
result left the country bitterly divided, with the opposition crying
foul. Opponents fear the sweeping constitutional changes, which would
grant Erdogan more power than any leader since modern Turkey’s founder
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his successor Ismet Inonu, would lead the
country to one-man rule.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared victory on Sunday in a historic
referendum that will tighten his grip on power, but the knife-edge
result left the country bitterly divided, with the opposition crying
foul. Opponents fear the sweeping constitutional changes, which would
grant Erdogan more power than any leader since modern Turkey’s founder
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his successor Ismet Inonu, would lead the
country to one-man rule.
The
result could also have even wider implications for Turkey which joined
NATO in 1952 and for the last half-century has set its sights on joining
the European Union. The ‘Yes’ campaign won 51.3 percent of the vote
against 48.7 percent for ‘No’, the election commission said in figures
quoted by state news agency Anadolu, in a count based on 99 percent of
the ballot boxes.
result could also have even wider implications for Turkey which joined
NATO in 1952 and for the last half-century has set its sights on joining
the European Union. The ‘Yes’ campaign won 51.3 percent of the vote
against 48.7 percent for ‘No’, the election commission said in figures
quoted by state news agency Anadolu, in a count based on 99 percent of
the ballot boxes.
As
huge crowds of flag-waving supporters celebrated, Erdogan praised
Turkey for taking a “historic decision”. “With the people, we have
realized the most important reform in our history,” he added. source
huge crowds of flag-waving supporters celebrated, Erdogan praised
Turkey for taking a “historic decision”. “With the people, we have
realized the most important reform in our history,” he added. source
Original story continues below…
Opinion polls have given a narrow lead for a “Yes” vote,
which would replace Turkey’s parliamentary democracy with an
all-powerful presidency and may see Erdogan in office until at least
2029.
which would replace Turkey’s parliamentary democracy with an
all-powerful presidency and may see Erdogan in office until at least
2029.
The
outcome will also shape Turkey’s strained relations with the European
Union. The NATO member state has curbed the flow of migrants – mainly
refugees from wars in Syria and Iraq – into the bloc but Erdogan says he
may review the deal after the vote.
outcome will also shape Turkey’s strained relations with the European
Union. The NATO member state has curbed the flow of migrants – mainly
refugees from wars in Syria and Iraq – into the bloc but Erdogan says he
may review the deal after the vote.
Some
55 million people are eligible to vote at 167,140 polling stations
across the nation, which open at 7.00 am (0400 GMT) in the east of the
country and close at 5 pm (1400 GMT). Turkish voters abroad have already
cast their ballots.
55 million people are eligible to vote at 167,140 polling stations
across the nation, which open at 7.00 am (0400 GMT) in the east of the
country and close at 5 pm (1400 GMT). Turkish voters abroad have already
cast their ballots.
How Turkey’s President Could Get Even More Power
The referendum has bitterly divided the nation.
Erdogan and his supporters say the changes are needed to amend the
current constitution, written by generals following a 1980 military
coup, confront the security and political challenges Turkey faces, and
avoid the fragile coalition governments of the past.
Erdogan and his supporters say the changes are needed to amend the
current constitution, written by generals following a 1980 military
coup, confront the security and political challenges Turkey faces, and
avoid the fragile coalition governments of the past.
Opponents
say it is a step towards greater authoritarianism in a country where
around 40,000 people have been arrested and 120,000 sacked or suspended
from their jobs in a crackdown following a failed coup last July,
drawing criticism from Turkey’s Western allies and rights groups.
say it is a step towards greater authoritarianism in a country where
around 40,000 people have been arrested and 120,000 sacked or suspended
from their jobs in a crackdown following a failed coup last July,
drawing criticism from Turkey’s Western allies and rights groups.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: A History
Relations
between Turkey and Europe hit a low during the referendum campaign when
EU countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, barred Turkish
ministers from holding rallies in support of the changes. Erdogan called
the moves “Nazi acts” and said Turkey could reconsider ties with the
European Union after many years of seeking EU membership.
between Turkey and Europe hit a low during the referendum campaign when
EU countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, barred Turkish
ministers from holding rallies in support of the changes. Erdogan called
the moves “Nazi acts” and said Turkey could reconsider ties with the
European Union after many years of seeking EU membership.
On the eve of the vote, Erdogan held four separate rallies in Istanbul, urging supporters to turn out in large numbers.
“April
16 will be a turning point for Turkey’s political history… Every vote
you cast tomorrow will be a cornerstone of our revival,” he told a crowd
of flag-waving supporters.
16 will be a turning point for Turkey’s political history… Every vote
you cast tomorrow will be a cornerstone of our revival,” he told a crowd
of flag-waving supporters.
“There are only hours left now. Call all your friends, family members, acquaintances, and head to the polls,” he said.
Erdogan
and the ruling AK Party, led by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, have
enjoyed a disproportionate share of media coverage in the buildup to the
vote, overshadowing the secular main opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) and pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP).
and the ruling AK Party, led by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, have
enjoyed a disproportionate share of media coverage in the buildup to the
vote, overshadowing the secular main opposition Republican People’s
Party (CHP) and pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP).
Erdogan
has sought to ridicule CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, playing videos of
his gaffes during rallies, and has associated the “No” vote with
support for terrorism.
has sought to ridicule CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, playing videos of
his gaffes during rallies, and has associated the “No” vote with
support for terrorism.
Kilicdaroglu
has accused Erdogan of seeking a “one-man regime”, and said the
proposed changes would put the country in danger. “This is not about
right or left… this is a national issue… We will make our choices with
our children and future in mind,” he said during his final rally in the
capital Ankara.
has accused Erdogan of seeking a “one-man regime”, and said the
proposed changes would put the country in danger. “This is not about
right or left… this is a national issue… We will make our choices with
our children and future in mind,” he said during his final rally in the
capital Ankara.
Proponents
of the reform argue that it would end the current “two-headed system”
in which both the president and parliament are directly elected, a
situation they argue could lead to deadlock. Until 2014, presidents were
chosen by parliament.
of the reform argue that it would end the current “two-headed system”
in which both the president and parliament are directly elected, a
situation they argue could lead to deadlock. Until 2014, presidents were
chosen by parliament.
The
government says Turkey, faced with conflict to the south in Syria and
Iraq, and a security threat from Islamic State and Kurdish PKK
militants, needs strong and clear leadership to combat terrorism.
government says Turkey, faced with conflict to the south in Syria and
Iraq, and a security threat from Islamic State and Kurdish PKK
militants, needs strong and clear leadership to combat terrorism.
The
package of 18 amendments would abolish the office of prime minister and
give the president the authority to draft the budget, declare a state
of emergency and issue decrees overseeing ministries without
parliamentary approval. source
package of 18 amendments would abolish the office of prime minister and
give the president the authority to draft the budget, declare a state
of emergency and issue decrees overseeing ministries without
parliamentary approval. source
Turkey Votes 'Yes' Granting Erdogan Nearly Unlimited Powers Over The Turkish People • Now The End Begins
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