Turkey launches “yes” campaign ahead of referendum

[Anthea]

Turkish leaders launch “yes” campaign ahead of constitutional referendum

To win over undecided voters, Turkish government officials have started to address crowds and attend rallies, calling on voters to back a series of amendments to the current constitution which will be put to referendum on April 16.

Many believe the amendments will inevitably give unprecedented powers to the president of the republic and weaken those of the parliament.

But senior government ministers reject the new constitution would change the structure of the system in Turkey in any profound ways.

“There won’t be a regime change,” said Turkish Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdaq delivering a speech at SETA, a Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research in Ankara. “Parts of the media are misleading the people,” the minister added.

Bozdaq, who made a pro-yes speech at the think tank said after the amendment the ministers will not be able to interfere with the work of the parliament. “It won’t be like now,” he said.

The amended charter, however, enables the president to issue decrees, declare emergency rule, appoint ministers and dissolve parliament.

On Saturday, the country’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a rally in Istanbul that “with the new system, the economy will advance on a stronger, more solid and healthier basis… and stability, investment, production and employment will increase.”

Polls show that nearly 17 percent of the voters have yet to decide how they will vote, which has led the government and its outlets to step up campaigning for a “yes” vote.

“My thoughts are clearer now when I listened to the minister,” said Mohammd Aibar a student who said he was now convinced how he would vote after listening to the Minister of Justice.

http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/27022017