Erdogan wins Turkish referendum by a thin margin

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. April 16, 2017, 10:16 PM (IDT)

With most of the votes counted, President Tayyip Erdogan has won the referendum on his constitutional changes by about 51.3 percent against 48.7 percent no votes overall and a majority against change in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. The official tally is not yet final. The two main opposition parties are vigorously challenging the results in the tight race and demanding a partial recount. If the results are confirmed, the president has won vastly enhanced executive powers, the post of prime minister would be abolished and he would be able to serve two consecutive five-year terms in power. Before the final count, Erdogan called Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and the leaders of the right-wing National Movement Party and Great Unity Party to offer “congratulations for the referendum victory.” The turnout was a high 86 percent of the 55 elegible voters.

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