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Turkey’s Referendum: Historic Change or Historic Division?

April 17, 2017
Photo Credit: Reuters

The state of severe polarisation in Turkey has swelled after the slim victory of “Yes” with 51.4 percent in the nation’s referendum that was held to make a constitutional amendment, which will turn Turkey from its parliamentary system into a new executive presidential system. Protests swept over Turkey after the results had been announced, both who are celebrating the win in the national referendum and who opposed the results took the streets. The nine-month state of emergency in Turkey is set to extend following the referendum win. The executive presidential system would give the president of Turkey new sweeping powers. These powers will include a five-year-tenure to the president, with a maximum of two terms. The Turkish president will also be able to appoint ministers and one or several vice-presidents. The power of publishing decrees will shift from the cabinet to the president who will intervene in appointing judiciary members, and will hold executor powers instead of the prime minister and parliament. The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that these measures and changes are needed to address the challenges and insurgency that are taking over the country after the failed…


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