Turks approve constitution change

Victory to the ruling party in vote for major constitutional change.

turkey referendum

Voters in Turkey have approved a plan for major changes to the country’s constitution.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, has hailed the vote as a victory for democracy, and the European Union has welcomed the referendum as a “step in the right direction”.

The plan includes 26 changes to the constitution in total. But two of the most important amendments aim to curb the military’s power and reform the judicial system.

Those in favour say this will make Turkey more democratic. But those against, say the reforms are a veiled attempt by the government to assert more control over the courts.

Al Jazeera’s Anita McNaught reports.

Source: Al Jazeera