Erdoğan asks followers to support referendum campaign

ISTANBUL

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Jan. 21 asked his followers in Istanbul to support the constitutional change in an upcoming referendum.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a new metro line in Istanbul’s Pendik district, Erdoğan said: “I believe that you will walk to the future by working day and night in this campaign for the referendum.”

Turkish parliament voted in favor a new constitutional amendment bill early on Jan. 21. A referendum is expected to be held early April following Erdoğan’s approval in the coming days.

“Now I hope the nation will make a real decision,” he said.

Proposed changes to the constitution require a simple majority in the referendum. Replacing Turkey’s current parliamentary system with a presidential one is the question expected to be submitted to the electorate.