sábado, 11 de setembro de 2010

Turks set to vote in crucial referendum


(CNN) -- Turkish voters go to the polls on Sunday in a crucial referendum on constitutional reform which could bring about the biggest change to the country's political landscape in three decades.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has spearheaded the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) campaign in favor of the reform package, arguing that the 26 amendments will bring greater freedom and democracy.
"Can there be anything wiser and more meaningful than going from a coup constitution to the constitution of the people?" Erdogan said in an interview with CNN, referring to the fact Turkey's current constitution was introduced in the wake of a military coup on September 12, 1980 -- 30 years to the day before Sunday's vote.
Erdogan was speaking aboard his campaign bus as he toured Istanbul on Friday in a last-minute pitch to voters. Thousands of enthusiastic supporters greeted him as he attended Friday prayers at a mosque on the outskirts of the city, chanting "Evet!" -- yes in Turkish and the slogan for those supporting constitutional change.
CNN