Turks vote in divisive referendum

ks voted Sunday on whether to adopt highly divisive constitutional changes that would reshape the judiciary and curb army powers, in a major test of confidence in the Islamist-rooted government.

Unrest marred voting in several cities where militant groups harassed and stoned fellow Kurds who rejected a boycott call from the main Kurdish opposition party and turned out to vote.

Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd in Mersin, southern Turkey, and detained 10 people, Anatolia news agency reported. “It is an important breaking point for Turkish democracy. We are passing through a very important test,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after casting his vote in Istanbul.

His ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) insists that the reforms contained in Sunday’s referendum will bring EU-candidate Turkey closer to the democratic norms of the 27-state bloc. However, the opposition has withheld support, arguing that the amendments mask the AKP’s quest for authoritarian power. The package’s approval would be a major boost for the AKP ahead of general elections next year, in which it will seek a third straight term in power.

The EU has welcomed the amendments as a “step in the right direction” but expressed reservations over increasing government influence in a key body dealing with judicial appointments. The result was expected several hours after polling stations closed at 1400 GMT in what opinion polls predicted will be a tight contest.

AFP