Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins referendum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins referendum

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has won a referendum to expand Presidential powers, which could keep him in office until 2029. With 99.45 percent of ballots counted, the “Yes” campaign had won 51.37 percent and “No” 48.63 percent.

The head of Electoral Board said, official tallies would be released within the next 12 days. Erdogan said in Istanbul that, for the first time in the history of the republic, the country is changing its ruling system through civil politics. He said the referendum had ended Turkey’s decades long history of military intervention in Government.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican People’s Party said the legitimacy of the referendum is open to question and demanded a recount of 60% of votes. The European Commission called on the Turkish authorities in a statement to “seek the broadest possible national consensus” when implementing the constitutional reforms.

Under the changes,after the next elections due in 2019,the Prime minister and Cabinet will be abolished, and Ministers will be directly appointed by the President and accountable to him.