Referendum ‘yes' doesn't mean vote of confidence, says PM

Speaking to journalists onboard his private jet as he made his way back to Ankara from a campaign rally in Diyarbakır, Erdoğan assured journalists that his party would not interpret support for the package as support for his party. He said, “You won't hear us saying we now have a vote of confidence.”

“I believe a ‘yes' will come out. The polls have been shifting toward ‘yes'.” He said the amendments would allow a smoother flow of financial capital into Turkey, noting that the changes would also establish confidence and stability. “I don't even want to think about it, but if a “no” comes out, it will cause trauma to our democracy and shrink our economy. Not everything is rosy. The opposition should also understand this.”

He responded forcefully to opposition criticism which claims that the government is changing the structure of the judiciary because its members fear being tried by the Supreme State Council – the name the Constitutional Court assumes when it is trying former prime ministers and governments. The prime minister underlined that the only change being introduced to the Constitutional Court structure was its number of members. He said the Supreme State Council could function adequately with 17 members.

Reiterating that he would not treat a referendum “yes” as a vote of confidence for the government, he said, “That will be seen in the next election.”

Erdoğan also criticized the opposition for disseminating propaganda about the referendum. “This is a referendum. We will do what we promise with the ‘yes votes'. A ‘yes' will come out of the referendum if God permits. We will go up a class. We will join advanced democracies and make a huge economic leap.”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also talked about the Diyarbakır rally of Saturday. He said the crowd was reminiscent of a Diyarbakır rally ahead of the July. 22, 2007 elections. “But we were mostly flattered by the enthusiasm and the joy.”

He also criticized a Republican People's Party (CHP) poster likening the Islamic headscarf to the wimple worn by nuns. The poster caused widespread offense. “That was a disastrous poster,” the prime minister said.

Election threshold

He also responded to questions from journalists about whether the government had plans to change the 10 percent election threshold needed for representation in Parliament. Erdoğan said: “I am sharing with you my sincere personal opinion. I don't think lowering the election threshold would contribute to the development of the country. Even in Europe, those who did that regret it. They admit it was a mistake. It is difficult to govern a country through coalition governments. Even the best coalition works with members concentrating on the advantages for their party.” He said Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi had admitted to making a big mistake by lowering the percentage of votes needed for parliamentary representation. He said if Turkey lowered the threshold, Parliament would not be able to pass any laws. He said even his earlier suggestion of “Turkey deputies” – where 100 seats would be allocated for parties that couldn't get over the threshold – would not solve the problem of proportionate representation. “Ten percent is necessary for stability.” He also said he didn't believe that the main opposition CHP, which suggested lowering the threshold to 7 percent, was sincere in its proposal. He also said that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) was strongly opposed to the idea.

The prime minister criticized the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP). “We've all seen their work in Parliament. They have made no contribution except for putting up obstacles and causing fights. Unfortunately, they have failed to become a party for Turkey.” He said the BDP's decision to call for a boycott of the referendum was akin to stifling voter will.

He also commented on government agencies holding talks with the jailed leader of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan. He said the reports and logs of the negotiations were at the National Intelligence Organization (MİT). “These are never piled up at the Prime Ministry; they are always at the MİT office. If it was done differently, it could undermine the state.”

Erdoğan also said the BDP was issuing threats to Kurdish voters to dissuade them from participating in the referendum.

The prime minister finally discussed recent allegations that some units inside the military might have wiretapped civilian public offices. “We would never let that happen. I am following the case.” He said he had talked to Gen. Işık Koşaner, the new chief of General Staff, about the issue. He said that the military was investigating allegations regarding illegal wiretapping of some of its staff.