| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: DG Communication |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Statement |
| Series Details | STATEMENT/17/981 (16.04.17) |
| Publication Date | 17/04/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Reports and analysis of the referendum held in Turkey on the 16 April 2017 on President Erdogan's proposals to reform the constitution from a parliamentary system into a presidential one. 51.3% of those who voted said 'Yes' to the proposals. Nearly 49% voted 'No'. Turnout was approximately 85%. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights had deployed a Limited Referendum Observation Mission (LROM) to observe the referendum. It issued a preliminary evaluation report on the 17 April 2017. It said 'The 16 April constitutional referendum in Turkey was contested on an unlevel playing field, and the two sides in the campaign did not have equal opportunities, the international observers concluded ... While the technical aspects of the process were well administered, voters were not provided with impartial information about key aspects of the reform, and limitations on fundamental freedoms had a negative effect ...' . The Supreme Board of Elections (SBE) 'issued instructions late in the day that significantly changed the ballot validity criteria, undermining an important safeguard and contradicting the law'. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called the report by the international observers 'biased' and 'unacceptable'. In a Statement Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: 'The Turkish electorate has voted on the amendments to the Constitution. In view of the close result the Turkish leadership should consider the next steps carefully. It is of utmost importance to secure the independence of the judiciary in line with the principle of rule of law enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council of Europe, of which Turkey is a full member, stands ready to support the country in this process'. 'In general, the referendum did not live up to Council of Europe standards', said Cezar Florin Preda, head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. In an initial statement the EU said it would await the report of the OSCE/ODIHR International Observation Mission before making a substantive comment. However, it did say 'the constitutional amendments, and especially their practical implementation, will be assessed in light of Turkey's obligations as a European Union candidate country and as a member of the Council of Europe'. 'We encourage Turkey to address the Council of Europe's concerns and recommendations, including with regards to the State of Emergency. In view of the close referendum result and the far-reaching implications of the constitutional amendments, we also call on the Turkish authorities to seek the broadest possible national consensus in their implementation'. In a phone call US President Donald Trump congratulated President Erdogan on his victory. Following the referendum President Erdogan in a speech to supporters on the 17 April 2017 said that he might also organise further referenda in Turkey on bringing back the death penalty and on the question of EU membership. For further information in ESO on the referendum click here. |
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| Source Link | http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-981_en.htm |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Turkey |
