Erdogan celebrates referendum win, rivals urge recount
10 years agoTurkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C), flanked by his wife Emine Erdogan (rear L), acknowledges supporters, during a rally, as he leaves after delivering a speech at the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Istanbul, on April 16, 2017, following the results of a nationwide referendum that will determine Turkey's future destiny. Erdogan on April 16, 2017 hailed Turkey for making a "historic decision" as he claimed victory in the referendum on a new constitution expanding his powers. The "Yes" campaign to give Turkish President expanded powers won with 51.3 percent of the vote a tightly-contested referendum although the "No" camp had closed the gap, according to initial results. But Turkey's two main opposition parties said they would challenge the results. PHOTO: Bulent Kilic / AFP
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was on Monday celebrating a narrow win in a referendum giving him sweeping new powers that exposed bitter divisions in Turkey and left incensed rivals demanding a major recount.