April 16 Referendum

Opposing “Yes” and “No” camps are working out the details of their strategies.

The sole item on the agenda in Ankara is the referendum on April 16, when voters will go to the polls to approve or reject 18 proposed amendments to the constitution. The changes would introduce an executive presidency to replace the current parliamentary system, increase the number of seats in the legislature and reform the board that oversees judges and prosecutors, among other changes. Opposing “Yes” and “No” camps are working out the details of their strategies to take to the public. The ruling AK Party will send the prime minister to campaign in 50 provinces, and he will be accompanied by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Canakkale, Diyarbakir, Kayseri, Ankara, Izmir and Istanbul.

Voters take to CHP’s message

The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which is campaigning against the constitutional changes, said voters perceive its messages as clear, positive and constructive, with 85 percent saying the messages are “well-received,” according to a poll. The CHP’s first rally will be in the Black Sea town of Amasya, where the founder of the modern Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk began the 1923 liberation war. The party will use the site to underscore its position that the referendum is not merely a political issue but an existential one for the nation.

MHP focuses on 9 provinces

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, who has expressed his support for the constitutional changes, will be launching a campaign on March 18. In the first phase, the party will hold rallies in nine provinces and could eventually hold another six later on. It is not clear whether the MHP will participate in meetings with the ruling AK Party, though rumor has it the two parties may hold at least one joint rally in Istanbul or Ankara.

HDP begins simultaneous campaigns in three provinces

The People’s Democratic Party (HDP) launched its referendum campaign simultaneously in three provinces: Istanbul, Diyarbakir and Izmir. Being on the “No” front, the party will primarily seek to motivate voters in the mainly Kurdish southeast to go to the polls and prevent them from boycotting the referendum. Recently, Agri Mayor Sirri Sakik, from the HDP’s sister party, was removed from his position by official decree. Mayors from 81 towns, cities and districts who are all affiliated with the HDP have been replaced by court- or government-appointed trustees.

Lawmakers to join campaigns later on

The ruling AK Party delayed the closure date of parliament from March 9 to March 16. The party believes a month is enough time for lawmakers to take to the streets and convince voters. Parliament will spend the next two weeks debating international agreements and a proposal to establish the Turkish Space Agency. There is speculation that the AK Party is concerned that if MPs begin campaigning too early, they may face too many demands from voters. If those demands are not met, the party may worry that it will face the consequences in the referendum.