Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that international organizations, whose representatives watched the conduct of the referendum on amendments to the Constitution, must “know their place”, reports Reuters.
Referring to his numerous supporters gathered in front of the presidential Palace in Ankara, Erdogan stressed that past vote summed up all the discussions on changing the Constitution and giving the President Executive powers. He said that now we will start reforms since the reform of the judiciary.
Responding to the statements of European observers that the vote did not meet international standards, Erdogan said that Turkey “does not see, does not hear and does not recognize the” report of the OSCE. According to him, some European countries were more opposed to constitutional amendments than the opposition in Turkey.
The President also promised that the operation “Turkey’s Euphrates shield” in Northern Syria will not be the last such event in the region, and the first. He said that his government will conduct as many military operations as necessary and when necessary, in order to fight terrorism.
Earlier it was reported that Erdogan, commenting on the outcome of the referendum, said that Turkish citizens have made their choice, despite the opposition of “those who have the worldview of the crusaders.”
Sunday, 16 April, Turkey held a referendum on amendments to the Constitution. According to preliminary results, the amendment was voted 51.4%. The final results will be announced in 11-12 days after appeals. The opposition alleged violations, in particular, criticized the decision of the electoral Commission to count valid ballots and envelopes without stamps.