Sultan Erdogan
The mandate for enhanced presidential powers, notwithstanding the narrow margin of victory, tightens President Erdogan’s grip on power in Turkey. By JOHN CHERIAN
The whirlwind campaign launched by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to enhance presidential powers has succeeded narrowly. The country’s Election Commission officially confirmed the win for the “yes” camp in the referendum on the new Constitution. The Election Commission stated that 51.41 per cent of the electorate voted in favour of the amendments backed by the President and the ruling AK (Justice and Development) Party. Those who voted against the controversial amendment constitute 48.59 per cent of the electorate, showing how sharply polarised Turkey is now.
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