About: Turkish referendum
Turkish opposition mobilises to ensure fair play in tight poll
One hundred people listen to presentations crammed into a room in Istanbul, defying the oppressive summer heat and attentively taking notes. Their aim -- to ensure Sunday's elections in Turkey are not marred by election fraud.
Germany says has no choice but to pull forces from Turkish air base
Germany will have to pull its forces out of the Incirlik air force base in southern Turkey because of Turkish government restrictions on German lawmakers seeking to visit troops there, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday (5 June).
Berlin defies Ankara and grants Turkish soldiers asylum
More than 400 Turkish state officials are seeking asylum in Germany. Despite Ankara insisting these applications be denied, Berlin has granted protection to military personnel in a number of cases. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Merkel rules out allowing German Turks say on death penalty
Turks living in Germany will not be allowed to vote in any referendum on reinstating the death penalty, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in remarks broadcast today (9 May).
Erdogan warns Turkey could ‘say goodbye’ to EU
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today (2 May) warned Brussels that Turkey would bring the curtain down on its over half-century bid to join the European Union if new accession chapters were not opened.
Merkel says EU summit should discuss Turkey
EU-Turkey relations have been severely hit by actions taken by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said today (27 April).
MEPs advocate suspending EU-Turkey accession talks
Europe is not closing the door to Turkey, but recent developments are prompting it to look for alternatives to Turkey’s accession to the EU, said MEPs in a debate with Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn yesterday (26 April).
Commission urges ‘different type of relations’ with Turkey
The European Union executive urged EU governments yesterday (24 April) to consider changing its relationship with Turkey after a referendum that handed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sweeping powers put Ankara's stalled membership talks deeper into cold storage.
Austria threatens crackdown on illegal dual citizenship holders after Turkey vote
Over 100,000 eligible-to-vote Turks live in Austria. It is estimated 10% of those hold illegal dual citizenship. Austria's interior minister wants to take action against this following Sunday's (16 April) Turkish referendum. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Turkey rejects referendum challenges as activists detained
Turkey's election authority rejected opposition requests on Wednesday (19 April) to cancel a referendum that boosted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's authority as police detained activists over street protests following the contested poll.
EU’s Turkish voters backed Erdogan’s reforms
The European Union’s Turkish diaspora voted overwhelmingly in favour of granting Turkey’s president more power in Sunday’s (16 April) constitutional referendum.
Victims of Turkish purges fear heavier crackdown after referendum
Mehtap Yoruk used to teach in a nursery school in south-east Turkey, until she was sacked last year in a purge of tens of thousands of state employees. Now, she ekes out a living selling chicken and rice from a food cart, dreaming of being reunited with her classroom.
Turkey’s ‘No’ campaign defiant despite obstacles
As the clock ticks down to Turkey's landmark referendum Sunday (16 April) on expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's powers, it's impossible to miss the posters for the government-backed 'Yes' campaign in Ankara and cities across the country.
Turkish diaspora vote crucial as referendum ‘could go either way’
Turks living abroad are turning out in greater numbers to vote in a referendum on changing the constitution to create an executive presidency, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yesterday (11 April), a development that pollsters say could benefit him.
Erdogan: Europe is collapsing, we will bring it to account
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to make Europe pay for “oppressing” and “humiliating” Turks, in rhetoric aimed at boosting the “Yes” camp ahead of Sunday’s referendum on enhancing his powers.
Flemish minister: Turkish-sponsored mosque is ‘nest of spies’
The Flemish interior minister has taken action against a mosque supported by Turkey, whose imam is suspected of informing Ankara about supporters of Fethullah Gülen, the self-exiled cleric accused of being the mastermind behind last year's failed coup.
Several hurt in clashes at Turkey’s Brussels consulate
Several people were injured and taken to hospital after supporters and opponents of the Turkish government clashed outside the country's consulate in central Brussels on Thursday (30 March), Belgian police said.
Germany rejects Turkish request to spy on Gulenists
Germany launched a second investigation yesterday (28 March) into suspected spying by Turkey and its interior minister said Berlin would not tolerate foreign espionage on its soil.
Erdogan says Turkey will review EU ties ‘from A to Z’
Turkey will review all political and administrative ties with the European Union after an April referendum, including a deal to curb illegal migration, but will maintain economic relations with the bloc, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yesterday (23 March).
EU summons Turkish ambassador over Erdogan safety remarks
The EU today (23 March) summoned the Turkish envoy to explain President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's warning that Europeans risk being unsafe on the world's streets.
Austria moves to formally ban Erdogan from campaigning on its soil
Austria's parliament is set to decide on whether or not to formally ban foreign politicians from campaigning on its territory. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Bulgarian election candidates hit out at Turkey meddling
The two main candidates in Bulgaria's upcoming parliamentary election singled out Turkey yesterday (20 March) in separate interviews with AFP for what they see as interference in the campaign.
Germany says Erdogan has ‘gone too far’ with Nazi jibe
Germany angrily warned Turkey yesterday (19 March) that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had gone too far after he accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of using "Nazi measures" in an escalating diplomatic feud.