8 June, 2015 - Katoikos

Sultan no more

With 99 per cent of the Turkish election results out, it is clear that President Erdoğan’s AKP party has failed to secure the necessary parliamentary seats to singlehandedly change the constitution, initiate a referendum, or even form the next government. Mr. Erdoğan’s plans for amending the constitution and turning Turkey into a presidential republic with him at the help seem to have suffered a fatal blow. More than a defeat for Mr. Erdoğan, though, this is a victory for democracy in Turkey.

Turkey’s AKP party loses majority in surprise result

It was surely a night to remember for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his AKP party. The ruling party is set to lose its majority in the Turkish Parliament. Ever since he took office in 2014, and even as Prime Minister before, President Erdoğan has been looking to boost his powers, hoping to turn Turkey into a presidential republic. The results of the 7 June vote sink Erdoğan’s ambitions, as he suffers probably the biggest setback in 13 years of high-level politics. His power-hungry move, reinforced Islamization and eagerness to expand his reach appear to have alienated many voters who perceive Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a threat to a secular and democratic state