Simon P. Watmough

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine greet supporters near Tarabya mansion in Istanbul, Turkey, April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTS12K9L

Unofficial results from Turkey’s April 16 constitutional referendum show that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has won the right to expand presidential power.

The “yes” campaign has won 51.37% of the votes while “no” has secured 48.63%, with 99.45% of ballots counted. The electoral board has declared a victory for the former but the country’s two main opposition parties are challenging the results, demanding a recount of 60% of the votes. Official results are expected in 11 to 12 days.

Erdoğan can now create an executive presidency that will make him the head of state and head of government, ending the country’s current parliamentary political system.…  Seguir leyendo »

Posters of Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan are seen on a monument in Izmir, Turkey, April 9, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX34TJU

Turkey is approaching a critical juncture in its long-term political development. Irrespective of the outcome, the country’s April 16 referendum, which proposes changing the constitution to concentrate power in the hands of the president, heralds a new political era.

Many signs seem to point to a narrow victory for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his attempt to establish an executive presidency a la Turca, but the result is not a foregone conclusion.

Should Erdoğan’s suggested reforms be rejected, Turkey’s near future would be defined by its president’s next move. Without a formal shift in constitutional structure, Erdoğan could resort to nefarious means to consolidate his grip on power.…  Seguir leyendo »