They say his ability to retain ties to a political party - Mr Erdogan could resume leadership of the AK Party (AKP) he co-founded - would end any chance of impartiality. "We will pursue a legal battle".
The administration of Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is claiming victory in today's referendum to expand the president's executive powers.
The package of 18 amendments was approved 51 percent to 49 percent.
The country's pro-Kurdish opposition party, which also opposed the constitutional changes, said it plans to object to two-thirds of the ballots.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim called the win "the best answer" to foes including the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is waging an insurgency in south-east Turkey, and sympathizers of Fethullah Gulen, an influential US-based Islamic preacher Erdogan blames for orchestrating the coup attempt. Since he was elected in 2014, Erdogan has taken what was largely a ceremonial position and made it more consequential. However, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek told Reuters there was no such plan, and the elections would still be held in 2019.
Supporters of the referendum say it's a justified change given the "existential threat" on the country's southern borders with Iraq and Syria, along with last summer's attempted coup, Han says.
Opponents of the referendum result are expected to take to the streets across the country Monday to protest the result. "I don't want a one-man system", she says.
"Because we must make an out-of-the-ordinary choice in order to attain the level of modern civilisations envisaged by the hero Mustafa Kemal", the president said, referring to modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. With these changes, the presidential office will have new executive powers and the post of the prime minister will be abolished, Al Jazeera reported.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defies Supreme Leader to run for Iranian presidency
Mr Ahmadinejad's eight years in office saw a tightening of global sanctions on the Islamic Republic to curb its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad said his decision to run was meant to help former Vice-President Hamid Baghaei , a close confidant.
With the change, the number of MPs will be increased to 600 from the current 550.
It will also theoretically allow Mr Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics since 2003, to stay in office until 2029. Although the result, if officially confirmed, would fall short of the sweeping victory Erdogan had sought, but nevertheless cements his hold on the country's governance.
Voting began at 7 a.m. but there was no question on the ballot, just an option for "yes" or "no".
They have also demanded a recount claiming that there had been voting irregularities. People have a very shallow memory and, rather than focusing on high ideals or national interests, they are often more bothered with their basic needs, be it accommodation, money in their pockets, job for themselves or for their kids and of course ways and means of attracting the attention of the other sex.
In contrast to his fiery and often provocative rhetoric during the campaign - when he accused some European governments of acting like Nazis and lumped his domestic opponents with terrorists - Erdogan's victory speech was relatively subdued.
Erdogan, who first came to power in 2003 as prime minister, had argued a "Turkish-style" presidential system would bring stability and prosperity to a country rattled by a failed coup previous year that left more than 200 people dead, and a series of devastating attacks by the Islamic State group and Kurdish militants.
Waldman predicted a purge against opposition leaders, more European Union bashing and reinstatement of the death penalty, as well as expansion of Islamic schools and no reconciliation with the Kurds.
We encourage Turkey to address the Council of Europe's concerns and recommendations, including with regards to the State of Emergency.




Comments