More than 10 million Turks streamed to the polls last week to vote on a new constitution, the first the country has had since the regime of Premier Adnan Menderes was overthrown nearly 14 months ago.
Besides the constitutional issue, the referendum was widely accepted as a test of strength for ex-President Ismet Inonu’s Republican Party. The new constitution won, but not by a landslide. Surprisingly, almost 4,000,000 voted “no.”
Few Turks opposed the constitution itself, which provides for a two-house legislature, a seven-year term for the President, land reform, and a guarantee of the right to strike. As the pundits saw it, some “no” voters wanted to show their disapproval of the Republicans; others felt that a vote against the constitution might save Menderes & Co. from the gallows; still others were trying to voice dissatisfaction with the regime of General Cemal Gursel, whose military coup had thrown the Menderes government out of power in May 1960. Reportedly, some Menderes supporters in rural areas campaigned for “no” votes by telling credulous peasants that a “yes” would bring to power an infidel named “Mister Referendum.” who would close mosques, substitute Christianity for Islam, and pack their women off to brothels.
The big “no” vote means that the Republicans have lost much political ground since last year’s successful revolution. It has also encouraged former Finance Minister Ekrem Alican’s New Turkey Party. If and when it merges with the newly formed Justice Party, the coalition could be formidable opposition to the Republicans in the coming national election, which General Gursel now promises for mid-October.
via Turkey: No, No, 4,000,000 Times No – TIME.
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