Turkey’s Erdogan proves a popular and polarizing figure
ISTANBUL — Rising from humble origins to take the helm of Turkey’s government in 2003, Recep Tayyip Erdogan quickly attracted a fervent following. But Erdogan, who served as prime minister and then president, also became feared and hated by many who saw him as an increasingly autocratic leader seeking to erode the country’s secular traditions by imposing his conservative, religious views.
constitutional changes that would change the country’s system of government from parliamentary to presidential — and grant Erdogan even more authority — were narrowly approved by Turkey’s voters on Sunday, according to unofficial results from the country’s election commission.
The changes, one of the most radical political reforms since the Turkish republic was established in 1923, could see the 63-year-old president remain in power until 2029.
The vote’s outcome reinforced Erdogan’s image as a figure both popular and polarizing. While thousands of flag-waving supporters cheered the referendum’s approval, political opponents immediately questioned the legitimacy of the balloting and said they intended to challenge a sizeable share of the count.