The Conversation (0)
Picture:
Getty
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed victory in a referendum which granted him sweeping powers and the ability to stay in power until at least 2029, should he be re-elected.
The vote over changes to the constitution were announced as having passed by 51 per cent of voters, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
The primary opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP) said that they would demand a recount of up to 40 per cent of the vote, citing "illegal acts" of vote suppression during the ballot.
The vote split the country in three, with most central areas voting 'yes':
Critics say the vote has ushered in sweeping powers that could enable a Turkish dictatorship to arise. However, Erdogan's foreign minister claimed the vote signalled 'a new Turkey':
As of now, there is a truly new Turkey.
There will be stability and trust in the new Turkey.
While sources said that Erdogan told the Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, that the results of the vote were "clear", before saying in a speech:
April 16 is the victory of all who said yes or no, of the whole 80 million, of the whole of Turkey of 780,000-square kilometers.
Yildirim himself said during a victory speech from the balcony at the party headquarters in Ankara:
We are brothers. We are one body, one nation. A new page has opened in our democratic history with this vote.
Be sure that we will use this result for our people’s welfare and peace in the best way.
For 51 per cent of the vote, it's all a bit "will of the people", and could likely inspire a far-reaching grab for more powers, or be used as policy directive.
Now where have we heard that before?
The parallels aren't restricted to the rhetoric.
Similarly, the winning side while sweeping much of the country was 'defeated' in the large cities.
Just a thought.
Picture: Neil Hall - WPA Pool/Getty Images
More from the Independent: Turkey's President Erdogan claims victory in vote to give him sweeping new powers - but opposition cries foul
Top 100
x