09/13/2010, 00.00
TURKEY
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Turkey moves closer to Europe after Yes victory in referendum

by NAT da Polis
The result, more favourable than polls anticipated , shows the willingness of people to embark on a "normal" parliamentary democracy. Even some opposition supporters voted Yes. Erdogan, who sees a confirmation in the 2011elections, must now reveal his true intentions.

Istanbul (AsiaNews) – With a result of 58% voting in favour of the Yes campaign, today Turkey is celebrating democracy, exactly 30 years after the military coup of 1980. A result that exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts by 5 percentage points, showing the will of the Turkish people to support the attempt by Erdogan to reform the Turkish Constitution created by the military coup of 1980.

Erdogan almost immediately after final count said that after Ramadan Turkey is celebrating democracy and this vote expresses the aspirations of the Turkish people and put an end to those who previously supported the policy of the military coup. A clear warning to the opposition parties of Kemalist inspiration, the CHP and MHP.

With a turnout equal to 77.75, in the Turkish media reflects the same desire. Turkish analysts see this result as a first confirmation of Erdogan also in view of elections scheduled for July 2011.

An initial analysis of voting shows that opposition voters also voted for the Yes, thus expressing the strong will that Turkey's army and the judiciary, the bulwarks of Kemalism, must adapt to meet the rules of a European-style parliamentary democracy.

In the two major cities, Istanbul came out 55% in favour of Yes, while Izmir remained loyal to the Kemalist tradition of voting with 64% against the reforms. At Diyarbakir, the Kurdish city, 93% sided with the Yes showing a scattered Kurdish opposition.

Meanwhile in Brussels Stefan Fule in charge of EU enlargement has welcomed the outcome. Likewise, the U.S. president Barack Obama.

Now it's time for Erdogan to reveal his true intentions.
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