On April 16th, Turkish citizens will decide with the referendum whether to change the country's constitution and strengthen the powers of President Erdogan. The referendum has brought to light the deep rift that exists inside and outside Turkey. Here are some important information about the referendum:
WHAT ARE THE DISCUSSION?
The referendum will change the Turkish political system from parliamentary to presidential. The Prime Minister's office will be abolished and the president, who will be directly elected by the people, will now be the head of the government's executive arm as well as the head of the state.
The President will gain additional powers, including the right to draw up the budget, appoint and dismiss ministers and, in some cases, issue decrees.
The president will also be allowed to maintain a relationship with a political party.
Under the current system, the president is required to at least virtually cut his party ties and to rule as "neutral".
In short, if the president gains great powers under the proposed changes, the referendum is a vote for President Erdogan himself.
Erdogan is attempting to redefine the role of the president since 2005. His plan was reinforced after the failed coup against him in the summer of 2016, which allowed him to contend more convincingly that radical changes are needed. But the referendum has proved highly divisive.
WHO WALK ABOUT 'YES'
Reasonably those who favor "evet" (yes) are the supporters of Erdogan's AKP. They argue that constitutional reforms are necessary to rationalize the Turkish government so that it can cope with the demands of the modern political environment.
More surprising is the support of the far-right MHP (Party of National Action) towards constitutional reforms as MHP has traditionally been opposed to the idea of a presidential system.
Rumors want party leader Develet Bakhcheli to have served as vice president in exchange for his co-operation.
The Turkish parliament has already voted for constitutional changes, but they need to be passed by popular vote to become law.
WHO WE ARE TRUE
The referendum finds the two other major Turkish parties, with the exception of the ruling party, the opposite: the Kemalist and Social Democratic Republican People's Party (CHP) and the left-wing pro-Kurdish People's Party (HDP).
Human Rights Defenders and Promotion Societies also say "hayir" (no) to the referendum. They argue that the proposed constitutional changes will essentially allow Erdogan to rule as a dictator.
In the event that yes, the referendum will allow Erdogan to claim two terms of office in the presidency during the next national elections in Turkey in 2019. He may therefore remain in power until 2029.
THE 'YES' IN THE CURRENCY IS EQUALIZED BY DEATH OF THE REPUBLIC IN TURKEY?
This depends on who is asked to answer. The proposed changes allow some safeguards. For example, parliament may in some cases circumvent presidential decisions, carry out investigations, and even refer the president to a two-thirds majority.
However, even under the current system, the Erdogan government has significantly undermined the Republic in Turkey. Opposition politicians and journalists have been imprisoned and harassed, while Erdogan has dismissed 2,700 judges in the wake of a failed summer coup d'état.
It is hard to imagine Turkey becoming more democratic if the current president gains more power. The European Commission has condemned the concentration of powers on the Turkish presidency and has described the proposed "excessive" changes.
WHAT WILL THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY HELP IN EUROPE?
Whatever the outcome, the period before it has been a major blow to Turkey's relations with the rest of Europe. The Turkish government was watching Turkish citizens living in European countries and Erdogan accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders of "Nazi practices."
This alone is enough to put the already stamped attempt to join Turkey in the EU. And if the yes in the referendum prevails, Erdogan's critics are sure to argue that Turkey does not meet the required accession criteria Democratic stability.
But NATO is another question
