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Turkish expats flock to homeland for referendum
Turkish expats started casting their votes for the referendum at border gates and airports on Aug. 3, and they will continue to do so until Sept. 12. For most expats, going to the ballot box is a civic duty of all citizens that will help address the country’s problems. The expats said their main reason for visiting Turkey this summer was to cast their vote in the referendum rather than for a vacation.
Muhittin Altun, who lives in Germany but is currently visiting Turkey, said he voted “yes” in the referendum. “Turkey and its people have suffered a lot in the past. There are still chronic problems. A ‘yes’ vote for the constitutional amendment package will help address these problems. Therefore, I cast a ‘yes’ vote,” he noted.
Mehmet Ali Sayer, who recently came to Turkey with his family for the referendum, said the planned changes to the Constitution will bring peace to Turkey and improve Turkish democracy. He said he plans to stay in Turkey until after the referendum so that he can spend the time urging relatives and friends to vote “yes” in the referendum.
Journalist Geviş plans to travel to Turkey to cast ‘yes’ vote Journalist and author Hıdır Geviş, who stated that he is both a Kurd and an Alevi, will travel to Turkey from New York to vote for the constitutional amendment package in the referendum. Geviş said he comes from a family who traditionally supported the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in elections, but his family is taking a different stance to their party during this referendum. “We will say ‘yes’ in the referendum as an entire family,” he noted. Geviş has been living in the US for the past 10 years. According to the experienced journalist, a “yes” vote in the referendum does not signify support for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The constitutional amendment package was passed in Parliament due to the tireless efforts by the AK Party despite the opposition parties’ refusal to lend it their support. “With the changes to the Constitution, all social circles who were offended in the past by the state will have a chance to reconcile,” Geviş noted. Geviş also said he has difficulty in understanding the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) decision to boycott the referendum. “I am also a Kurd, but I cannot understand why the BDP insists on boycotting the referendum. The rejection of the reform package in the referendum will mean the loss of a historic opportunity for Kurds,” he stated. Geviş added that minority groups will heave a sigh of relief after the Constitution is amended. “When I was at university, I kept secret from everyone the fact that I am an Alevi. This reason for this was simple -- I was afraid. However, being a Kurd or an Alevi should not be a burden for any citizen. The planned changes to the Constitution will help build a new democratic system in Turkey,” he said. Mehmet Demirci New York |
In the meantime, a group of 40 Turkish expats living in Romania rented a bus and arrived at the Hamzabeyli border gate on Monday evening. The expats traveled for more than 900 kilometers to reach Turkey. They cast their referendum votes at the border and then traveled to Edirne to break their Ramadan fasts.
Sezgin Kılınç, one of the expats in the group, said he voted “yes” for the constitutional amendments in order to help erase the traces of the 1980 coup d’état. “The referendum on the constitutional amendment package strengthens the sovereignty of the nation. Therefore, I voted ‘yes’ on the package,” he noted. İbrahim Aydın traveled hundreds of kilometers to Turkey, despite being ill, just to be able to cast his vote in the referendum. “I believe every ‘yes’ vote is very important for the development of Turkey and its democracy. I have cast my vote and now I am very happy,” he said.
Another expat in the group, Ali Taban, said the 1980 coup created a social atmosphere in which people were urged to shoot their brothers. “I voted ‘yes’ in protest of the bloody coup,” he added.
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