Turkey's Erdogan declares referendum victory, opponents plan challenge

[webfact]

Turkey's Erdogan declares referendum victory, opponents plan challenge

By Tuvan Gumrukcu and Humeyra Pamuk

 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan greets his supporters in Istanbul, Turkey, April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

 

ANKARA/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan declared victory in a referendum on Sunday to grant him sweeping powers in the biggest overhaul of modern Turkish politics, but opponents said the vote was marred by irregularities and they would challenge its result.

 

Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast and its three main cities, including the capital Ankara and the largest city Istanbul, looked set to vote "No" after a bitter and divisive campaign.

 

Erdogan said 25 million people had supported the proposal to replace Turkey's parliamentary system with an all-powerful presidency, giving the "Yes" camp 51.5 percent of the vote.

 

That appeared short of the decisive victory for which he and the ruling AK Party had aggressively campaigned. Nevertheless, thousands of flag-waving supporters rallied in Ankara and Istanbul in celebration.

 

"For the first time in the history of the Republic, we are changing our ruling system through civil politics," Erdogan said, referring to the military coups which marred Turkish politics for decades. "That is why it is very significant."

 

Erdogan himself survived a failed coup attempt last July, responding with a crackdown that has seen 47,000 people detained and 120,000 sacked or suspended from their jobs.

 

In Ankara, where Prime Minister Binali Yildirim addressed cheering supporters, convoys of cars honking horns clogged a main avenue as they headed towards the AK Party's headquarters, their passengers waving flags from the windows.

 

But the head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said the legitimacy of the referendum was open to question.

 

The party earlier said it would demand a recount of up to 60 percent of the votes after Turkey's High Electoral Board (YSK) announced it would count ballots which had not been stamped by its officials as valid unless they could be proved fraudulent.

 

Kilicdaroglu has accused Erdogan of seeking a "one-man regime", and said the proposed changes would put the country in danger.

 

In some affluent neighbourhoods in Istanbul, people took to the streets in protest while others banged pots and pans at home - a sign of dissent that was widespread during anti-Erdogan protests in 2013.

 

In Istanbul's Besiktas neighbourhood, more than 300 protesters brought traffic on a main street to a standstill, a Reuters cameraman at the scene said. In Ankara, scuffles between AK Party and opposition supporters broke out near the headquarters of the CHP. (For a graphic on Turkish referendum results, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2oNBvKv)

 

EUROPEAN UNEASE

 

Turkey's lira <TRYTOM=D3> firmed to 3.65 to the dollar in Asian trade following the referendum, from 3.72 on Friday.

 

European politicians, however, who have had increasingly strained relations with Turkey, expressed concern. The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, said the close result meant that Ankara should seek "the broadest national consensus" in implementing the vote.

 

Relations 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.

 

Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt, who heads the liberal group of MEPs in the European Parliament, said Erdogan needed to change course, noting the result was very tight. "If Erdogan persists, EU should stop accession talks," he said.

 

Manfred Weber‏, leader of the centre-right grouping tweeted: "No matter the result: with his referendum Pres. Erdogan is splitting his country."

 

After the vote Erdogan repeated his intention to review Turkey's suspension of the death penalty, a step which would almost certainly spell the end of Ankara's EU accession process.

 

Further deterioration in relations with the European Union could also jeopardise last year's deal under which Turkey has curbed the flow of migrants - mainly refugees from wars in Syria and Iraq - into the bloc.

 

NATION DIVIDED

 

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.

 

"This is our opportunity to take back control of our country," said self-employed Bayram Seker, 42, after voting "Yes" in Istanbul.

 

"I don't think one-man rule is such a scary thing. Turkey has been ruled in the past by one man," he said, referring to modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

 

Opponents say it is a step towards greater authoritarianism. Erdogan and the AK Party enjoyed a disproportionate share of media coverage in the buildup to the vote while the leaders of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), which opposes the changes, have been in jail for months.

 

"I voted 'No' because I don't want this whole country and its legislative, executive and judiciary ruled by one man," said Hamit Yaz, 34, a ship's captain, after voting in Istanbul.

 

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.

 

The government says Turkey, faced with conflict to the south in Syria and Iraq, and a security threat from Islamic State and PKK militants, needs strong and clear leadership.

 

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.

 

(Additional reporting by Nick Tattersall, Ece Toksabay, Gulsen Solaker, Tulay Karadeniz, Orhan Coskun, Ercan Gurses in Ankara; Isabel Coles, Can Sezer, Birsen Altayli, Behiye Selin Taner, Ceyda Caglayan, Ebru Tuncay and Akin Aytekin in Istanbul, Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels; Writing by Dominic Evans and Daren Butler; Editing by Keith Weir, Adrian Croft and Bill Rigby)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-17

 

[harada]

Yet another dictator in the world, sad.

[ezzra]

Turkey is a beautiful country, sadly headed by a megalomaniac and a sultan wanabe who want to rule Turkey with an iron fists and send the country back to darker times and it's appear that the Turkish people has let him do it, be careful what you wish for Turkey, as this will come to bite you....

[4MyEgo]

"Kilicdaroglu has accused Erdogan of seeking a "one-man regime", and said the proposed changes would put the country in danger".

 

Agreed, gotta feel for Greece with this madman ready to unleash at any minute, America has got it all wrong focusing on North Korea.

[darksidedog]

I feel very sad for Turkey this morning. A few years back it was developing well and moving towards EU membership. Now it is a shambles and headed entirely in the wrong direction, steered by a megalomaniac, with no respect for anyone but himself.

[the guest]

Yet another banana republic in the making. Time to throw them out of NATO.  We need to round up all these Despots and put them in the Antarctic out of harms way.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"This is our opportunity to take back control of our country," said self-employed Bayram Seker,

You sure did. And immediately handed it over to one guy. Now you have a Caliph. Congrats, Idiot. May you live in interesting times.

[just.a.thought]

And Turkey continue the journey towards third world status and dictatorship....good luck and bye bye tourism


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[Srikcir]

Turkey's adoption to a Presidential system is unusual for an Islamic country but very similar to many Western countries such as the USA. The only difference thus far seems to be that the president can appoint half the members of Turkey's highest judicial body without any approval from outside the executive branch such as the legislature. What will probably remain unchanged will be the military's loyalty to Erdogan that would be inconsistent with a Presidential system.

 

Therefore, I doubt the change to a Presidential system in itself would otherwise create terminal conflict with the EU and NATO. France and Portugal have semi-presidential republics. 

[Grouse]

Look, it's the will of the people.

 

The referendum was won with a clear majority of 1.5%

 

The majority are always right. So the unpatriotic remoaners should suck it up and keep quiet.

 

If the majority wanted an autocracy they must be correct! 

 

(Time to boot them out of NATO - big risk of them getting close to Putin though. If Russia gets unhindered access through the Bosporus, we better hang on to Gibraltar ?)

[Grouse]

8 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Turkey's adoption to a Presidential system is unusual for an Islamic country but very similar to many Western countries such as the USA. The only difference thus far seems to be that the president can appoint half the members of Turkey's highest judicial body without any approval from outside the executive branch such as the legislature. What will probably remain unchanged will be the military's loyalty to Erdogan that would be inconsistent with a Presidential system.

 

Therefore, I doubt the change to a Presidential system in itself would otherwise create terminal conflict with the EU and NATO. France and Portugal have semi-presidential republics. 

No, the new system is MUCH more autocratic. Laws by presidential decree with no checks and balances. Erdogan can dissolve parliament at will. Also how often will the president be re-elected. The American system is far more democratic with checks and balances as Trump is finding out

[Jingthing]

"Democratically" voted for total dictatorship. Sound familiar? DO cry for Turkey ...

Moving backwards at lightning speed. 

[Grouse]

Why so little interest in this? It's going to be massively destabilising if the vote stands

 

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/eu-observer-turkey-condemns-referendum-result-president-erdogan-opposition-parties-demand-recount-a7686876.html%3Famp

[Basil B]

Once again, another referendum with out a clear majority, I am sorry to say that I feel  in the case of such referendums that to make such changes that a clear majority of 60% or even 2/3 majority should be required to carry the referendum proposal.

 

The result nearly half the voters feel disenfranchised... 

[Jingthing]

52 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Once again, another referendum with out a clear majority, I am sorry to say that I feel  in the case of such referendums that to make such changes that a clear majority of 60% or even 2/3 majority should be required to carry the referendum proposal.

 

The result nearly half the voters feel disenfranchised... 

Especially considering there is strong evidence that the Turkish strongman RIGGED the vote. 

Edited April 17, 2017 by Jingthing

[Basil B]

While most democratic world leaders are disapproving the result, guess who's been on the phone to congratulate the tyrant???

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, Basil B said:

While most democratic world leaders are disapproving the result, guess who's been on the phone to congratulate the tyrant???

That question is just too easy!

 

http://origin-nyi.thehill.com/homenews/administration/329167-trump-called-erdogan-to-congratulate-him-on-referendum-reports

 

Edited April 18, 2017 by Jingthing

[tubby johnson]

If only Kemal Ataturk could rise from the dead and drive out this megalomaniac fascist.

 

[Srikcir]

On 4/17/2017 at 1:32 PM, Grouse said:

The American system is far more democratic

US POTUS can issue Presidential Decrees  - what's different?

With Trump's election the US has gone from Full Democracy to Flawed Democracy according to the EIU Democracy Index. For the last nine years Turkey was ranked as a Hybrid Democracy. If Erdogan doesn't abuse the Presidential system Turkey may move higher to Flawed Democracy.

On 4/17/2017 at 1:32 PM, Grouse said:

Erdogan can dissolve parliament at will.

Isn't that done with current parliaments by the PM? Triggers snap elections I believe.

On 4/17/2017 at 1:32 PM, Grouse said:

the new system is MUCH more autocratic

I agree but that's characteristic of a Presidential system although I'd use the term authoritarian. A PM is typically Head of Government while a President is both Head of Government and Head of State such as with the USA . By definition the President has more executive power.

 

 

 

On 4/17/2017 at 1:32 PM, Grouse said:

how often will the president be re-elected

No more than two five-year terms. But Erdogan as current President should be limited to only one more term if elected.

On 4/17/2017 at 1:32 PM, Grouse said:

no checks and balances

There is still the judicial system. But the Turkish President can appoint up to half of the supreme court judges - clear conflict of interest. Should require approval by the elected legislature.

 

[Stargeezr]

I agree we are seeing the face, and hearing a newly minted Dictator who just is not calling himself that, but will arrest you If you are in his country and dare to say so, I pity those in opposition to this guy and his thugs that he has hired.

Geezer