Turkish opposition denounces referendum results, demands pre-term elections
Turkey's ruling AK Party led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the constitutional referendum on Sunday, September 12, with a victory of the ‘yes' camp by 58% against 42%. Meanwhile, the opposition demands pre-term elections in the country.
According to Turkish media, the demand was voiced today by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli who said that the constitutional amendments had led Turkey to a dark period full of vital risks and dangers. Bahceli accused the authorities of blackmailing and bribing voters.
Another oppositionist, Chairman of Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said the opposition would continue its struggle.
"Though I respect the outcome of the elections, I believe that the vote was rigged. No one can deny the extraordinary pressure put on the public.We must not forget that the state must ensure all conditions for people to express their right to vote. Turkey's authorities failed to pass an exam of "democratic culture," he said.
The turnover of around 77% was registered in Turkey during the national referendum of Sept. 12 which suggested amending the legal system and changing the functions of the Constitutional Court, judges and prosecutors and aroused discontent of the opposition and Kurdish population.
Analysts foresee aggravation of the political situation in Turkey.
In political circles Erdogan is compared with Ataturk and is labeled "Turkey's great leader after Ataturk"
