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Europe
Published
Last Update May 23, 2017

Turkey's Erdogan to rejoin ruling party after referendum win

By | Associated Press
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    Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived to a ceremony to rejoin the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Erdogan is to rejoin the Islamic-rooted party he co-founded in a ceremony on Tuesday, following his narrow victory in a referendum that expands the powers of the president's office. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

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    Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, poses for photograph with Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, left, during a ceremony to rejoin the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Erdogan is to rejoin the Islamic-rooted party he co-founded in a ceremony on Tuesday, following his narrow victory in a referendum that expands the powers of the president's office. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici) (The Associated Press)

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    Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, enter signs a declaration of membership to rejoin the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, in Ankara, Turkey, as Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, looks on during a ceremony, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Erdogan rejoined the Islamic-rooted party he co-founded in a ceremony on Tuesday, following his narrow victory in a referendum that expands the powers of the president's office. (Press Presidency Press Service via AP, Pool) (The Associated Press)

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to set rejoin the ruling party he co-founded following his narrow victory in a referendum that expands the powers of the president's office.

Most of the constitutional changes approved in the April 16 referendum will come into force in 2019. However, an article removing a requirement for the president to be neutral and cut ties with their party came into effect immediately, allowing Erdogan to return to the Justice and Development Party in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Erdogan is expected to be re-elected as its chairman at a congress on May 21.

Critics fear that the new presidential system approved in the referendum will lead to a one-man rule. Supporters say they will usher in stability and more efficient government.