Mr. Trump called to congratulate the President of Türkiye

US President Donald Trump has congratulated Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan after his victory in a referendum to increase his powers.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a speech campaigning for the constitutional referendum. Photo: Reuters

The call was made on April 17 (US time), amid protests from opposition parties and international observers over Türkiye’s referendum. Critics have long denounced Erdogan’s authoritarian policies, accused him of human rights abuses and now want to increase his power.

That's why the AP news agency even said that the above move further made Mr. Trump associated with the image of a leader with increasingly dictatorial tendencies.

More than 80% of Türkiye's 55 million voters participated in the referendum.

The preliminary vote count on April 16 showed that 51.4% of voters agreed to the plan to amend the Constitution. Accordingly, if they agree to the amendment, Mr. Erdogan and his successors will have the right to appoint ministers and government officials, to name half of the members of the country's highest judicial body, to issue decrees and declare a state of emergency...

The reform is believed to pave the way for Mr. Erdogan, 63, to stay in power until 2029, according to AP.

Amid skepticism about Mr Erdogan, Western countries want to closely monitor the referendum to ensure that Turks have “expressed their democratic will” at the ballot box.

Also on April 17, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner reiterated concerns from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), calling for observation of “unusual” developments on voting day, as well as an “unfair playing field” in the referendum campaign.

A campaign against constitutional changes in Istanbul, Türkiye, on April 17 - Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the US wanted an international committee to review the results of the Turkish referendum. He said: “They have the right to hold a vote and their people have the right to participate. Before we get into their system of government, let these committees (international committees) review the referendum.”

In Germany, where some 4 million Turkish citizens live and vote, Berlin authorities say it all depends on how Mr Erdogan heals the rifts created by the referendum.

Reuters news agency quoted German Chancellor Angela Merkel as saying at a joint press conference with Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel: "The referendum with its close result shows how divided Turkish society is, and this means a huge responsibility for the Turkish leadership, as well as for President Erdogan in particular."

According to Tuoi Tre