12/09/2010 Turks voted Sunday on whether to adopt highly divisive constitutional changes that would restructure the judiciary and curb army powers, in a major test of confidence in the government.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) insists the package of reforms in Sunday's referendum will bring democracy in EU-candidate Turkey closer to the norms demanded by Brussels. However, the opposition says the amendments mask the party's quest for authoritarian power.
Newspaper headlines Sunday reflected the country's sharp polarization on the issue: "A turning point for democracy" headlined the pro-government Sabah. The daily Hurriyet, which has been generally critical of the referendum, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was seeking to become an "elected sultan".
Voters were equally divided in what, opinion polls indicate will be a tight contest.
Some 50 million people were eligible to vote in the referendum that falls on the 30th anniversary of the 1980 military coup which produced the current constitution, universally criticized for its oppressive spirit despite a series of amendments over the years. The results were expected several hours after polling stations close at 1400 GMT.
The core of the package, pushed through parliament in May by the AKP, aims to restructure the higher echelons of Turkey's judiciary, a secularist bastion at loggerheads with the government. It also curbs the powers of the once-untouchable military, already humbled amid sprawling probes into alleged plans to unseat the AKP that have landed dozens of military officers in court.
The opposition argues the AKP designed the amendments to propel cronies to senior judicial posts, control the courts and dilute the system of checks and balances.
The package's approval would be a major boost for the AKP ahead of general elections next year, in which it will seek a third straight term in power.
The EU has welcomed the amendments as a "step in the right direction" but expressed reservations over arrangements that would increase government influence in a key body dealing with judicial appointments.
(AFP)
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) insists the package of reforms in Sunday's referendum will bring democracy in EU-candidate Turkey closer to the norms demanded by Brussels. However, the opposition says the amendments mask the party's quest for authoritarian power.
Newspaper headlines Sunday reflected the country's sharp polarization on the issue: "A turning point for democracy" headlined the pro-government Sabah. The daily Hurriyet, which has been generally critical of the referendum, said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was seeking to become an "elected sultan".
Voters were equally divided in what, opinion polls indicate will be a tight contest.
Some 50 million people were eligible to vote in the referendum that falls on the 30th anniversary of the 1980 military coup which produced the current constitution, universally criticized for its oppressive spirit despite a series of amendments over the years. The results were expected several hours after polling stations close at 1400 GMT.
The core of the package, pushed through parliament in May by the AKP, aims to restructure the higher echelons of Turkey's judiciary, a secularist bastion at loggerheads with the government. It also curbs the powers of the once-untouchable military, already humbled amid sprawling probes into alleged plans to unseat the AKP that have landed dozens of military officers in court.
The opposition argues the AKP designed the amendments to propel cronies to senior judicial posts, control the courts and dilute the system of checks and balances.
The package's approval would be a major boost for the AKP ahead of general elections next year, in which it will seek a third straight term in power.
The EU has welcomed the amendments as a "step in the right direction" but expressed reservations over arrangements that would increase government influence in a key body dealing with judicial appointments.
(AFP)
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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