New York Times: Erdogan Claims Vast Powers in Turkey After Narrow Victory in Referendum
ISTANBUL — A slim majority of Turkish voters agreed on Sunday to grant sweeping powers to their president, in a watershed moment that the country’s opposition fears may cement a system of authoritarian rule within one of the critical power brokers of the Middle East.
With nearly 99 percent of votes in a referendum counted on Sunday night, supporters of the proposal had 51.3 percent of votes cast, and opponents had 48.7 percent, the country’s electoral commission announced.
The result will take days to confirm, and the main opposition party said it would demand a recount of about 37 percent of ballot boxes, containing around 2.5 million votes.
But on Sunday night the result was already a political reality, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed his victory in front of a crowd of supporters in Istanbul. “We are enacting the most important governmental reform of our history,” he said.
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WNU Editor: International monitors are not impressed on how this referendum was run .... International monitors deliver scathing verdict on Turkish referendum (CNN). More here .... Turkey referendum: Campaign on Erdogan powers 'unequal' (BBC), and here .... Monitor says Turkey's referendum was not genuinely democratic (UPI).
Turkeys Constitution Refendum -- News Roundup
Turkey referendum: Erdogan hails 'clear' win in vote on new powers -- BBC
Monitors criticise Turkey referendum; Erdogan denounces 'crusader mentality' -- Reuters
Turkey's President Erdogan claims victory in vote to give him sweeping new powers - but opposition cries foul -- The Independent
Turkey Rules Out Early Elections as Narrow Win Draws EU Concerns -- Bloomberg
Turkish Opposition Questions Legitimacy of Erdogan Referendum Victory -- NBC
Turkey opposition disputes Erdogan poll win, monitors concerned -- AFP
European Leaders Respond Cautiously to Turkey Vote -- VOA
Outcome of Turkey vote expanding presidential powers likely to further cool EU relations -- Chicago Tribune/AP
In divided Turkey, opposition groups challenge vote shifting powers to President Erdogan -- Washington Post
