Turkey's president claims victory in vote to increase his power; foes protest
ISTANBUL — 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.
“April 16 is the victory for all who said yes or no, for the whole 80 million, for the whole of Turkey,” Erdogan said. "I thank every single individual of our nation who went to the ballot boxes and claiming their will.”
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 international effort to crush the Islamic State.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, a member of Erdogan's AK (Justice and Development) party, announced the unofficial tally hours after polls closed.
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"We are one nation, Turkey, opening a new page in its democratic history," said Yildirim, whose job would be eliminated if the results withstand appeal.
The referendum would allow Erdogan to tighten his political grip and remain in power until 2029. Erdogan could also 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 They also said the current constitution is outdated since it was written by military leaders following a 1989 coup. Supporters added that the change is necessary to bolster the economy.
"We're so happy to see this win,” said Mehmet Can in Istanbul. “Erdogan will lead this nation to success."
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Still, opponents call it the end of democracy in the country. Since July's unsuccessful coup attempt, the government has detained or suspended more than 140,000 academic, military and civil servants accused of taking part in overthrowing the government. Erdogan blames his longtime ally-turned-foe Fethullah Gulen, a self-exiled cleric living in Pennsylvania, for masterminding the failed coup.
That crackdown was heavily criticized in the West and Turkey, and some voters said it was the reason they voted "no." Duygu Ergun, 28, a banker, was among them.
“Erdogan is using religion to manipulate people,” Ergun 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 voting results left her feeling anxious. “There will be a strong reaction to this," Demir said. "Half of the country is saying no.”
James Piazza, a Penn State professor and Middle East expert, said the final vote appeared to mirror polling in the last week of campaigning in a "very bitter election." He said the more urban and cosmopolitan areas and the Kurds generally voted against the changes. But Erdogan's power base, the conservative "Green Belt" heartland won the day, he said.
"This (vote) just reflects the basic political divisions in Turkish society," Piazza said. "Secular urban people and Kurds versus the conservative and traditional rural areas and towns."
Piazza and Elena McLean, an assistant professor of political science at University at Buffalo, said the close result, even if it stands up, fell short of a mandate.
"Even if the count was not rigged, it may be difficult to convince opponents of the reform that no fraud occurred," McLean said. "Opposition to the political transformation may continue, if not overtly, then as a suppressed grievance."
McLean said the referendum's details would batter the system of checks and balances and do away with several constitutional limits on executive authority. She noted that Erdogan has been chipping away at freedom of speech and other rights for some time.
Now the question is, was the election free and fair — "and if the reforms are approved, how free and fair Turkey’s elections will remain afterward," she said.
Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Associated Press