Turkish president claims referendum win
Move would increase his power; opponents demand a recount
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed a “historic” victory Sunday in a tightly contested national referendum that would radically change his country’s system of government and give the president vast, new powers.
With 99% of the ballots counted, Erdogan’s referendum had 51.4% “yes” votes, while 48.6% opposed the changes, Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported. Car horns honked and Turks waved flags and rallied in the streets after Erdogan declared victory, but multiple opposition parties alleged voting irregularities and sought a recount.
The United States and the West viewed the measure as a turn away from Turkey’s secular democracy and toward a religious- based, authoritarian regime in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of about 80 million people. Turkey is a NATO member and crucial partner in the effort to defeat the Islamic State.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, a member of Erdogan’s AK party, announced the unofficial tally hours after polls closed. “We are one nation, Turkey opening a new page in its democratic history,” he said.
The referendum would allow Erdogan to tighten his political grip and remain in power until 2029. Erdogan also could issue decrees without legislative approval, appoint his own Cabinet and most federal judges and have the authority to declare a state of emergency and dissolve parliament.
His supporters here said the changes are necessary to give the president the political power and stability to confront security challenges. Turkey has seen more than 20 terror attacks in the past two years. They also said the current constitution is outdated since it was written by themilitary after a 1989 coup.
Still, opponents call it the end of democracy in the country. Since July’s uncoup attempt, the government has detained or suspended more than 140,000 academic, military and civil servants accused of taking part in overthrowing the government.
That crackdown was criticized in the West and in Turkey, and some said it was the reason they voted “no.” Duygu Ergun, 28, a banker, was among them.
“Erdogan is using religion to manipulate people,” Ergyn said. “He’s not secular. I’m a Muslim but I don’t want religion and government to mix. ... We want our minorities to have rights too, not just Muslims.”
University student Gizem Demir, 23, said the results left him anxious. “There will be a strong reaction to this,” he said. “Half of the country is saying no.”