The people will make the ultimate choice in the referendum: Erdoan – Yeni afak English
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan spoke for the first time about the national referendum after parliament approved the constitutional reform package at the opening ceremony of a new metro line in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday.
The people will make the ultimate choice when we go to a referendum. I believe the people will vote for what is right," said Erdoan.
The constitutional reform bill was approved overnight with 339 votes in the 550-member assembly.
Turkish lawmakers approved a new Constitution early Saturday as deputies completed voting on 18 articles. A total of 339 MPs voted in favor of the law that will now head to a referendum that will likely be held in early April. The initial round of ballots on the reforms was completed after each passed with more than 340 votes. A second round of voting on the 18 articles began Wednesday after almost three weeks of debates in parliament. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, who also chairs the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, congratulated lawmakers for passing the constitutional changes. People will have the final say," he told deputies. "We have done our job. Now we convey the issue to its real owner, our people," Yildirim said. "People's vote will be the most accurate one." Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli told lawmakers, "The Turkish nation will do its own evaluation and hopefully it will add to what have been achieved so far" But main opposition leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, urged Turks to "spoil the game that was played in the parliament. "The mistake that have been done in the parliament can be revoked by the people," Kilicdaroglu said. Proposed changes to the Constitution require a simple majority, or 51 percent, in the referendum.
The President called his supporters to work day in and day out" throughout the referendum campaign.
"My people will give the final decision... I believe this referendum period will conclude with the will of our people," said Erdoan.
The legislation aims to bring stability at a time of turmoil and unrest, and prevent the fragile coalitions of the past.
Erdoan said the metro line will be further developed to span across even more of Istanbul.
The Kadky-Tavantepe metro line that we are opening today expands Istanbul's rapid transit line of the metro to 150 kilometers. The part of the line that extends to Sabiha Gken Airport will be completed by 2019. It is our aim to expand Istanbul's metro line to 260 kilometers," he said.
The President also spoke about the rocket attacks that were launched on the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local headquartes on Friday.
They can attack AK Party as much as they want. We have devoted all we have to this path," he said.
The AK Party provincial head, Selim Temurci, reported that the rocket did not explode despite piercing the wall of the building and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).
Istanbul police arrested Saturday five suspects over the rocket attacks that targeted the provincial police headquarters and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party headquarters in Istanbul on Friday evening, a police source said. Security forces raided 15 addresses across Turkey's largest city, and five people were taken into custody over suspected links to the attackers, the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said on Twitter late Friday that no one was injured in the attack on the police headquarters, and an investigation had been launched.No injuries were reported after the attack on the AK Party headquarters, according to a Twitter post by the group's provincial head, Selim Temurci on Friday.He told reporters later on Friday that the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). He also said two assailants were involved in the attack.
Rocket attacks Friday targeted police headquarters in Istanbul and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local headquarters. Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin said on Twitter that no one was injured in the police station attack and an investigation had been launched. No injuries were reported on the AK Party attack, according to a Twitter post by the group's provincial head, Selim Temurci. He later told reporters the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, and pointed to the involvement of the ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C). He said two assailants were involved in the attack. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said terror groups carried out the attack on police headquarters. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was briefed about incidents by Temurci and the governor. Turkey's EU Minister posted a condemnation of the attacks on social media. "While terror targets our people and security services, it also targets politics and tries to influence decision making mechanisms," Omer Celik said on Twitter. "Terror is ideologically nourished by placing itself in between the societyamp;politics. Thus, it tries to seize society's right to administer." He said strong bonds between society and politics are "the biggest barriers terror can't overcome. "Politics relying on society is our greatest foundation," he said. "Turkey, w/ its vast experience, sees through the ideological amp; political agenda behind terror. Terror cannot have an influence on Turkey."
Read more:
The people will make the ultimate choice in the referendum: Erdoan - Yeni afak English
- As Erdogan cracks down on opposition, is Turkey headed to early election? - Firstpost - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan Says Yerevan is More Flexible on So-Called Zangezur Corridor - Asbarez - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- 3 mayors arrested in southern Turkey as part of crackdown on opposition to Erdogan - The Times of Israel - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan expects F-35 deliveries during Trump presidency, rejects Greek concerns - Defence Industry Europe - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan meets with pro-Kurdish party delegation in 'historic' peace talks - Trkiye Today - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkeys pro-Kurdish party will meet with President Erdogan By Reuters - Investing.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Erdogan says asked Trump to intervene over shootings at Gaza aid centers - The Times of Israel - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan confident Turkey to be readmitted to F-35 programme - The New Arab - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Turkish Police Detain Three More Mayors From Party Opposed to Erdogan - WSJ - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan confident Turkey will receive F-35 jets under deal with Trump - eKathimerini.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Peace with Kurds to gain momentum as PKK starts laying down arms - kurdistan24.net - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan says PKK arms decision will accelerate peace process - Trkiye Today - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- PKK disarmament to boost peace with Kurds: Erdogan - New Age BD - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan and Sharif discuss trade expansion and Gaza crisis at Azerbaijan summit - Trkiye Today - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Armenias vision of unblocking anchored on sovereignty and national jurisdiction: Foreign Ministry responds to Erdogan - Armenpress - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Erdogan: I truly believe Khankendi will become a center of peace - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- As Trump Pushes Syria Toward Israel, Erdogan Asks What's in It for Him - Haaretz - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Erdogan vows action against magazine over alleged religious insult - rudaw.net - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Erdogan pushes for F-35 deal with US in bid to strengthen Turkey's Air Force, expert says - The Jerusalem Post - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Turkey agrees to increase water flow to Iraq after meeting between Al-Mashhadani and Erdogan - Iraqi News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- President Erdogan to visit Azerbaijan for Economic Cooperation Organization Summit - Trkiye Today - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- U.S. envoy expects Trump, Erdogan to resolve arms sanctions on Turkey this year -Anadolu - Reuters - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Erdogan reiterates gratitude to Azerbaijan for earthquake relief support - Latest news from Azerbaijan - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Erdogan hails 2024 as record year for exports, pledges continued growth in 2025 - TRT Global - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- US envoy expects Trump, Erdogan to resolve arms sanctions on Turkiye this year - Arab News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- EUs aid to Turkey diverted to spying operations in Europe by Erdogan govt - Nordic Monitor - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Trump, Erdogan hold first meeting at NATO as ties warm: What to know - AL-Monitor - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- President Erdogan condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan near Afghan border - Trkiye Today - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Erdogan Claims Progress in Bid to Secure F-35 Fighter Jet From United States - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Turkey hopes for progress on F-35 jets after Trump meeting, Erdogan says - The Times of Israel - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Trump would join Ukraine peace talks in Turkey if Putin attends - Reuters - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- World Juniors Qualifier Talya Erdogan is Headed to George Washington University for 2025 - SwimSwam - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan says positive developments on Eurofighter jets - eKathimerini.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan with Trump after five years: why can they get along better now? - Yetkin Report - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trkiye in talks with the US to rejoin F-35 programme, says Erdogan - TRT Global - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkey hopes for progress on F-35s after Trump meeting - Investing.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan said that the Russian S-400 air defense systems are not enough to protect Turkey - EADaily - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan says wont let terror drag Syria back to instability - arabnews.jp - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan to attend June 2425 NATO summit in The Hague as allies mull defense spending hike - Trkiye Today - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Israel-Iran war near point of no return, vows to boost missile production - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Armenian prime minister discusses reconciliation with Erdogan in landmark Turkey visit - AP News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Armenian prime minister to meet Erdogan in rare visit to Turkey aimed at mending ties - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan vows to boost Turkeys missile production as Israel-Iran war escalates - AP News - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Iranian FM talks are only way to settle nuclear dispute - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan says he's 'optimistic victory will be Iran's' in blistering speech as strikes continue - MSN - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Turkish President Erdogan warns against 'new Sykes-Picot order' in the Middle East - Yahoo - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan: Iran-Israel conflict reaching point of no return - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Pashinyan-Erdogan meeting may be a game-changer in Armenia-Turkish relations - Commonspace.eu - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan: Israeli strikes on Iran aimed at derailing nuclear talks with US - The Times of Israel - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- UNRWA to open office in Trkiye: Erdogan - TRT Global - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Erdogan, Trump tried to broker secret US-Iran talks in Istanbul: Report - Trkiye Today - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Netanyahu government is the 'greatest obstacle' in regional peace: Erdogan - TRT Global - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in... - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan says Israel attacks aimed to sabotage Iran nuclear talks By Reuters - Investing.com - June 22nd, 2025 [June 22nd, 2025]
- President Sheikh Mohamed and Turkey's Erdogan call for dialogue as conflict rages between Israel and Iran - thenationalnews.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan, Aliyev Rejoice Over Ethnic Cleansing of Artsakh - Asbarez - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan Attempts to Rally the Muslim World Against Israel - Foundation for Defense of Democracies - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Iran has 'legitimate right to defend itself against Israel's thuggery,' compares Netanyahu to Hitler - The Times of Israel - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Putin, Erdogan condemn Israeli actions against Iran - The Times of Israel - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Iran has 'legitimate and legal right' to self-defence against Israel - Middle East Eye - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Saar slams oppressive and imperialist Erdogan for defending Iran, comparing PM to Hitler - The Times of Israel - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Trkiye will never forget Azerbaijani people's solidarity after earthquakes: Erdogan - TRT Global - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Erdogan slams Israels banditry after Iran strikes - The Times of Israel - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Israeli disinformation campaign on President Erdogan's daughter refuted by Trkiye - Trkiye Today - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan steers Turkey toward end of secularism with new constitution draft - The Arab Weekly - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Turkey to export 48 fighter jets to Indonesia: Erdogan - The Economic Times - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Erdogan: The international community must say stop to Israeli banditry - NEWS.am - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Plans afoot for an Erdogan trip to the White House - eKathimerini.com - June 10th, 2025 [June 10th, 2025]
- Erdogan proposes Putin-Zelensky meeting in Turkey, with Trump's participation - Gazeta Express - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Turkish President Erdogan greets the nation on Eid al Adha - TRT Global - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Turkey becoming one of main centers of peace diplomacy - Erdogan - Ukrinform - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Appeasing Erdogan, losing the Med - eKathimerini.com - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pushing for Turkish women to have more babies - IslanderNews.com - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan appoints legal team to draft new constitution, sparking fears of extended rule - AP News - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Opinion | Erdogan Might Have Finally Gone Too Far - The New York Times - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Nuclear bomb, dream of becoming Muslim world leader, India exposed Turkey's thorium plan, Erdogan angry due t - India.Com - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Sharaa Turkey welcomes lifting of Syria sanctions - Reuters - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan says he has 'no interest in being re-elected' - thenationalnews.com - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Lachin airport will greatly contribute to regional development, global integration - Latest news from Azerbaijan - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan reiterates pledge not to run for another term - Middle East Monitor - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]